The Houston Texans enter mandatory minicamp with cautious optimism surrounding two of their most important players working back from significant injuries. Wide receiver Tank Dell is present at OTAs but not yet practicing on the field as the team carefully manages his return from the devastating multi-ligament knee injury that cost him the entire 2025 season, while tight end Brevin Jordan has resumed practicing after back-to-back season-ending knee injuries and is being eased back in with a managed workload.
C.J. Stroud — Concussion
Stroud appeared in 14 games last season due to a concussion, completing 64.5% of his passes for 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He enters 2026 fully healthy and has been a full participant throughout OTAs. His presence is notable given that he dealt with a pectoral strain at this same point in the 2025 offseason, which limited him until training camp.
Tank Dell — Knee (ACL/MCL/LCL/Patellar Tendon)
Dell suffered a gruesome injury in December 2024 when his leg bent awkwardly on a touchdown catch against the Kansas City Chiefs, leaving him with a dislocated knee, torn ACL, MCL, LCL, and additional meniscus damage. He missed the entire 2025 season as a result. Despite still being limited during portions of minicamp, the receiver has been able to participate and is reportedly ahead of schedule in his rehab. The expectation is that Dell will be ready for training camp, an encouraging development considering the severity of the injury he sustained.
E.J. Speed - Quad
Speed's outlook has unfortunately worsened following his torn quadriceps injury suffered during offseason training. Initial optimism suggested a potential mid-season return in 2026, but that is no longer considered realistic.
According to reports, Speed underwent successful surgery and is now expected to miss the entire 2026 season. Quadriceps tendon injuries are significant for linebackers because they directly impact explosiveness, change of direction, and overall lower-body strength. Houston will now move forward without one of its key defensive contributors as Speed shifts his focus toward a full recovery and a potential return in 2027.
Brevin Jordan — Knee (Patellar Tendon)
Jordan continues to work his way back from the torn patellar tendon he suffered during training camp in 2025, an injury that ended his season before it began. The tight end also has a history of prior knee issues, making his recovery one worth monitoring closely.
He was limited during the offseason program as he focused on rehabilitation, but the Texans showed confidence in him by signing him to an extension despite the injury history. Jordan is making progress and is expected to ramp up for training camp, with hopes of returning to a meaningful role in Houston's offense.
Azeez Al-Shaair – Thumb
Al-Shaair is fully healthy after undergoing thumb surgery during the offseason. The veteran linebacker was a full participant throughout minicamp and showed no signs of lingering effects from the procedure.
Cade Stover — Knee/Hernia
Stover suffered a knee injury during Houston's divisional round loss, though follow-up evaluations indicated the injury did not require surgery. A procedure did wind up being necessary for a separate hernia, though Stover managed to recover from that surgery in time to participate fully in the Texans' conditioning program. He was out catching passes during OTA drills, a positive sign heading into mandatory minicamp. Stover is also transitioning to see reps at fullback throughout the offseason to better his chances of landing on Houston's Week 1 roster, with the tight end room now significantly more crowded following the additions of Foster Moreau and second-round rookie Marlin Klein. Stover will be expected to be a regular run-blocking figure on offense provided he can remain healthy for the start of the 2026 season
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