Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell is defying the odds.
After a stellar rookie season cut short by a leg injury, Dell has not only made a full recovery but is back on the field looking like his old self. Not only is Dell coming from a fractured fibula, but he is also recovering from a "minor" gunshot wound he sustained at a shooting in Florida.
This resilience comes as no surprise to his trainer, Delfonte Diamond. He called Dell a "freak of nature" when it comes to athletic ability on The H-town Rundown podcast last week.
💎 is the best WR trainer out there and has HIGH praise for @Tankdell4
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) May 23, 2024
“ @Tankdell4 is a FREAK OF NATURE” - @DelfonteDiamond
Always preaches a quote from 🎽: “YOU CANT STOP WHAT YOU CANT CATCH” 🗣️ https://t.co/nccB5yVlt6 pic.twitter.com/lEuf5edhst
Dell's breakout rookie campaign saw him haul in 47 receptions for 709 yards and seven touchdowns in just 11 games. He quickly established a rapport with fellow rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, highlighted by the game-winning touchdown catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the final seconds of the game.
His season ended in Week 12 after he fractured his fibula on a goal-line rushing play. While Dell looked to be making a speedy recovery, his momentum was halted when he was unfortunately struck by a bullet in the leg at a pool party earlier this month.
Despite this setback, his recovery has been nothing short of remarkable. Videos from voluntary OTAs and workouts with Diamond show Dell back in action, seemingly unfazed by the incident.
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Diamond, one of the nation's top wide receiver trainers, isn't surprised by Dell's rapid recovery. He's known for pushing boundaries with his "cutting-edge techniques" and considers Dell one of his "best experiments." Diamond boasts an impressive client list, training various top NFL wide receivers including Stefon Diggs, CeeDee Lamb, Rashee Rice, Jaylen Waddle, Xavier Worthy, Marvin Harrison Jr. and running back Saquon Barkley, among others.
Diamond's philosophy revolves around empowering his receivers. He champions the mantra, coined by Dell himself, "you can't stop what you can't catch." This approach emphasizes that the wide receiver controls the situation, not the defender. Diamond's unique training regimen focuses on crafting footwork and deceptive hand usage, allowing receivers to stay in control and leave defenders guessing.
A look at Dell's game film reveals the effectiveness of Diamond's techniques. Dell consistently creates separation using the very skills he's honed in training. Diamond's "experiment" with Dell is undoubtedly a success, and Texans fans eagerly await the continued development of this dynamic duo.
The hope for Dell in Year 2 is that he can build on his solid rookie campaign alongside Stroud. It helps, too, that Dell will get to play under offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik again as well as fellow wideouts Nico Collins and Diggs in 2024.
