Texans: Tank Dell ready for expanded role on special teams

Tank Dell has waited since December to be at this moment.

No, not at the training camp in the middle of July, but back on the field at full speed for the Houston Texans . He’s been training to get back to this level to this level since being carted off against the Denver Broncos in Week 13.

And Dell plans on being active beyond the offense this fall. He also envisions himself factoring in on speical teams, especially on returns with the new rule added by the league this offseason.

“I’m ready for everything,” Dell said following practice on Friday. “Of course I’m ready.”

The NFL elected to adopt the new kickoff rules that mimic that of the XFL. The hope is without starting at the 35-yard line, it’ll lower the injury rate and keep players active.

On Friday, the media got a sneak peek at what the new kickoff formation looks like and which players could factor into the return game. Now, the kicking team will start at the receiving team’s 40-yard line. Outside of the kicker, the remaining ten players can’t move until the ball reaches the new active zone, which is between the 20-yard line and the end zone.

Dell, plus cornerback Desmond King, receivers Steven Sims and Robert Woods and running backs Dameon Pierce and Jawhar Jordan all participated in drills during the special teams period.

“I think as many guys as you can get who can catch the ball, whether it’s receivers or running backs, we’re going to try to use all of our guys to see who is best at creating explosive plays because that’s what I think will happen on that play,” said Texans coach DeMeco Ryans .

Dell, a third-round pick out of the University of Houston, was active in the return game during his rookie season. He was, however, in college, averaging 18.3 yards per kick return over three seasons and even took one to the house in 2020.

Last season, Dell was getting adjusted to the NFL speed in the receiving game, hauling in 47 passes for 709 yards and seven touchdowns. He was on pace for a 1,000-yard campaign before the injury and could have broken every Texans’ rookie franchise record.

While Dell is still getting his body right for another breakout season, he also will have to learn a new skill on kickoffs. He’s not against the change, but he did admit the old rules benefitted the returners in his mind.

“I liked it better the old way with them coming farther so I can see what I want to do,” Dell said. “It’s cool for right now, though.”