Tank Dell’s revised contract with the Houston Texans raises his potential total earnings to $3.645 million from an existing $1.704 million. Details were reported Sept. 11 after the agreement was reached last week, before Houston’s Week 1 game against the Buffalo Bills.
The change adds $1.5 million to Dell’s current deal. That existing amount consists of a $1.145 million salary and a $500,000 signing bonus. Dell can earn $300,000 by playing at least 30% of the Texans’ offensive snaps, plus another $300,000 for each additional 5% through 50%. He also can receive $38,461 for every game in which he is active.
Dell is on injured reserve with a designation that permits a return while he rehabilitates from a 2024 knee injury involving a dislocation and multiple ligament tears. He will miss at least four games. The earliest possible comeback is Houston’s home game against the Dallas Cowboys, but the timing is uncertain.
Dell must first reach 11-on-11 practice work, and the Texans would have 21 days to activate him after opening his practice window. Otherwise, he would remain on injured reserve for the rest of the 2026 season.
General manager Nick Caserio said Sept. 1 that Dell was getting close to returning but still had more to accomplish. Caserio also said Dell needed to rebuild enough confidence to play at his former level. Dell attended the Texans’ 2026 season premiere event, where Brian “Big Sarge” Barfield described him as being in good spirits and wanting to return.