Texans WR Tank Dell delivers performance to remember in win vs. Chargers

If Tank Dell wanted to silence the critics who believed his best years were left in 2024, a touchdown reception for the second-longest pass of the season probably answered the call. For the first time in 687 days, Dell found his way into the end zone as the Houston Texans dismantled the Los Angeles Chargers in a 44-22 victory at SoFi Stadium. And because it had been a minute since he and C.J. Stroud could celebrate, the duo brought back " the Squabble,"  a dance that routinely followed celebrations after scoring drive back in their rookie season. “Proud of both guys getting that connection going,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters after the win. “Excited to see how that continues to progress throughout the year.” Dell, who last week made his return to the field for the first time since December 2024 and caught a 43-yard pass, wanted to set the tone early. He hauled in a pass for 16 yards in the first quarter, but the fireworks went off midway through the second. With a 1-point lead, Houston needed a jolt. Enter Stroud, stepping up to deliver a strike down the right sideline for Dell. With the defender slipping, "Uno" became a one-man band, waltzing his way into the end zone for a 63-yard touchdown reception, the second-longest passing drive of the season for Houston's offense. “He was ready for his moment,” Ryans said. “Tank is never short of confidence. He’s a confident young man. He knows his ability, he believes in himself, he put the work in and he was ready for this opportunity.” Dell wasn't done there. He also caught a 32-yard pass in the fourth quarter from Stroud to help set up a Ka'imi Fairbairn field goal. After most starters were pulled, Ryans kept the former third-round speedster out on the field for three more plays. One of them, a 6-yard catch on a pass from Davis Mills to help him secure his fifth 100-yard receiving day of his career. “To see him get 100 yards in his second game back off of a crazy injury, that’s crazy. For him, it’s not, though,” Stroud said. “That’s the type of confidence we have in Tank. He’s a heck of a football player and he showed it today.” The Texans look to build on Dell's confidence and their success in the passing game as they hit the road next Sunday for a matchup against the Cleveland Browns.