Houston Texans star practices in pads for first time in nearly two years after 2024 career-threatening injury

The snapshot of Tank Dell crumpled in that end zone and desperately pointing at his dislocated knee in December of 2024 is something to recall but not relive because it was horrible to witness.

Dell, 26, hasn’t played football since that moment, raising concerns he’d never play again and amid the echoes of naysayers predicting he’d never be the same.

But Tank Dell’s comeback is on. And on Wednesday that long journey took a significant step when he stepped on an NFL practice field with his teammates in full pads for the first time at Houston Texans training camp.

Eventually, barring a setback, Dell might get snaps in a preseason game. Then, if he clears that, the regular-season beckons.

The Texans open the regular season on Sept. 13 against the Buffalo Bills at home against the Buffalo Bills. That’s seemingly a long way away.

But Tank Dell got one significant step closer on Wednesday.

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