Why is tank dell trending? Texans open his practice window

Why Tank Dell is trending

Tank Dell is trending because the Texans designated him to return from injured reserve on Wednesday, October 7, and head coach DeMeco Ryans said Houston is opening his 21-day practice window this week. That window is the formal step that starts the clock on getting him back on the field.

Dell has been dealing with a knee injury. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the return-from-IR designation gives him 21 days to be added to the Texans' active roster. If he is not activated inside that window, he stays on injured reserve for the rest of the year.

What is not known yet is whether Dell will actually play this week. Ryans made clear that opening the window is only the start, not a guarantee of Sunday availability.

What Ryans said about the move

Ryans named three players set to return to practice this week: Dell, tackle Braden Smith and defensive tackle Kayden McDonald. "This week, we expect to open the window for Tank Dell, for Braden Smith and for Kayden McDonald," Ryans said.

Ryans was straightforward about what comes next. "Once you open that 21-day window, you have to see how guys respond to practice," he said, noting it will be the first time all three have practiced together again this season.

What happens next

Ryans said the team will watch how each player handles the week of practice before making any decision. "We see how they respond, how their week goes and then we'll see what happens on Sunday," he said.

That Sunday test comes against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 11. Houston has not said whether Dell, Smith or McDonald will actually suit up. For now, all three are simply cleared to practice, with the roster decision still open.

Facts per Houston Texans, Yahoo Sports. Opinion is the taproom's.