Texans wide receiver Tank Dell suffered a gunshot wound to his leg a week ago as an innocent bystander during a mass shooting in Florida, sustaining a flesh wound that went through one side of the leg and exited through the other side, according to sources.
Dell is both “very lucky” to be alive and to have avoided structural damage to his leg, per sources, as he was in the middle of a crossfire in Sanford, Fla., between two shooters with one 16-year-old suspect arrested and in custody,
Dell is healing up quickly and is considered likely to be cleared for physical activity at some point this spring and is expected to make a full recovery in advance of training camp in July, per sources.
Dell was released from the hospital last Sunday and traveled back to Houston after being shot last Saturday night during an altercation he wasn’t a part of at Cabana Live. Ten people, including Dell, a former University of Houston standout, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Most of the victims, including Dell, sustained leg injuries, according to Seminole County law enforcement officials.
Dell posted a photograph of himself on Instagram on Friday wearing the Texans’ new red uniform with a caption: ‘God I thank you’ along with a praying hands emoji.
Since the incident,, Dell has been at the Texans’ training facility to meet with team officials, including coach DeMeco Ryans
“We have been made aware that Tank Dell was a victim of a shooting in Sanford, Fla., last night,” the Texans said in a statement last weekend. “He sustained a minor wound, but has been released from the hospital and he is in good spirits. We are in contact with him and his family and will provide more updates when appropriate, but we ask that you please respect his privacy at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in the incident.”
Dell was in Florida to visit his mother in his hometown of Daytona Beach.
The Texans' dynamic wide receiver previously made a full and speedy recovery from a broken fibula that interrupted a strong rookie season.
Dell has been participating in the Texans’ offseason conditioning program, participating in extra throwing sessions with Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud and extra training sessions with NFL trainer Justin Allen and private coach Delfonte Diamond.
“He looks great,” Stroud said in April. “He’s gotten a lot better. Mentally, I think for both of us, really all of the rookies coming into Year 2, everything is starting to slow down, and the wheels aren’t turning so much up in your head. You’re starting to play ball. Being able to throw with him in L.A. was really big.”
Dell was on track for 73 catches, 1,096 yards and 11 touchdowns when he got hurt. Dell broke tight end Owen Daniels’ rookie franchise record for touchdown catches.
Four of the Texans’ catches of at least 20 yards or more came on Dell touchdown receptions. That’s the third-highest mark in the league for any receiver with touchdowns of at least 20 yards, at the time of his injury.
“Tank is back and he’s starting to get in with our guys here with the offseason programs,” Ryans said on April 15 at NRG Stadium. “So, I’m excited to have Tank back. That was a devastating loss for us last year, losing him. He’s such a dynamic player for us, such an inspiration for myself, a lot of our team. So, I’m excited to see Tank back working with our guys, and excited to see him make that same jump I talked about from Year One to Year Two.”
Perhaps Dell could become a Pro Bowl selection one day.
“I think so, too,” trainer Justin Allen said. “I think the injury cut him short, but God has a plan. I’m excited to see what he does Year 2 and he will reap all the benefits. One thing I like working with him is his attitude. You can’t teach it. Very few players have that type of talent with his mindset and humble eagerness.”
Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.
Photo: Tim Warner / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images