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By Ellis Williams
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Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell raced into the end zone Sunday, then joined Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud for a celebration that had been familiar during their rookie season.
Their reunion was one of the highlights of Houston’s 44–22 win over the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Playing his second game since returning from a severe knee injury, Dell caught a 63-yard touchdown pass and helped the Texans improve to 3–5.
The score ended a wait of 687 days. Dell had not reached the end zone since Dec. 21, 2024, when he was injured while catching a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. He missed the entire 2025 season before returning against the New York Giants on Oct. 25.
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With 4:28 remaining in the second quarter Sunday, Stroud found Dell down the right side for the long score. The extra point extended Houston’s lead to 17–9. The Texans’ touchdown highlight captured the play that marked another step in Dell’s comeback.
Dell and Stroud celebrated with the “Squabble” dance they had popularized as rookies in 2023, the Houston Chronicle reported. Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans also greeted the receiver with a hug on the sideline.
The injury in Kansas City included a dislocated knee and torn ACL, Ryans confirmed in a December 2024 update. Returning to an NFL game took Dell until this fall, and Houston had stressed his recovery rather than immediate production.
“We're excited, it's time for him to be back,” Ryans said on Oct. 19, before Dell’s return against the Giants. “He's done a great job of working to get himself back.”
Sunday’s touchdown offered a reminder of the connection Houston had lost. Dell caught seven touchdown passes as a rookie in 2023 and three in 2024 before the knee injury interrupted his second season. Against the Chargers, that connection finally produced another score.
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