Tank Dell could earn as much as $3.645 million under a revised contract with the Houston Texans, details reported Sept. 11 show. The agreement was completed last week before Houston’s Week 1 game against the Buffalo Bills. It raises Dell’s current $1.704 million amount by $1.5 million. That existing figure includes a $1.145 million salary and a $500,000 signing bonus.
Dell can earn $300,000 by playing at least 30% of Houston’s offensive snaps, plus another $300,000 for each additional 5% through 50%. He also has a $38,461 payment available for each game in which he is active.
Dell is on injured reserve with a designation that permits a return, so he will miss at least four games while recovering from a 2024 knee injury involving a dislocation and multiple ligament tears.
The first possible return is Houston’s home matchup with the Dallas Cowboys, though no timetable has been set. Dell must first advance to 11-on-11 practice work. Once his practice window opens, Houston will have 21 days to activate him. Otherwise, he would go back to injured reserve and miss the rest of the 2026 season.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio said Sept. 1 that Dell was approaching a return but still needed to complete more work and rebuild confidence. Dell later attended Houston’s 2026 season premiere event, where Brian “Big Sarge” Barfield described him as being in good spirits and eager to play.
