Tank Dell’s revised contract with the Houston Texans could increase his total earnings to $3.645 million. Sports.yahoo.com reported the details Sept. 11, after the agreement was reached last week ahead of Houston’s Week 1 game against the Buffalo Bills.
The agreement adds $1.5 million to Dell’s existing $1.704 million. That original 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 at each additional 5% level through 50%. He also can receive $38,461 for each game in which he is active.
Dell is on injured reserve under a designation that permits a return, so he will miss at least Houston’s first four games while recovering from his 2024 knee injury, which involved a dislocation and multiple ligament tears. The earliest potential comeback would be against the Dallas Cowboys in Houston, though the schedule is uncertain.
He must first advance to 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.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio said Sept. 1 that Dell was approaching a return but still needed to complete more work and rebuild confidence in his earlier level of play. Dell attended the Texans’ 2026 season premiere event later, and Brian “Big Sarge” Barfield described him as being in good spirits and eager to play.
