The Houston Texans have revised Tank Dell’s contract to include performance and availability payments that could bring his total compensation to $3.645 million, details reported Sept. 11 show. The agreement was completed last week before Houston’s Week 1 matchup with the Buffalo Bills. It provides an additional $1.5 million beyond the $1.704 million already in his deal.
That earlier amount includes a $1.145 million salary and a $500,000 signing bonus.
Dell could earn $300,000 by playing at least 30% of the Texans’ offensive snaps. Each increase of 5 percentage points, through a 50% share, would provide another $300,000. He also would receive $38,461 for each game he is active.
Dell is on injured reserve with permission to return while recovering from a 2024 knee dislocation and multiple ligament tears, so he will miss at least Houston’s first four games.
The Dallas Cowboys’ home game is the earliest possible return date, but no timetable has been set. Dell must first reach 11-on-11 practice work. Once his practice window opens, Houston has 21 days to activate him.
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 getting close but had more rehabilitation ahead and needed to rebuild confidence. Dell attended the team’s 2026 season premiere event and Brian “Big Sarge” Barfield described him as upbeat and eager to return.
