Nathaniel Dell played a major role in the Houston Texans‘ 21-6 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. If the name sounds strange to you, that’s because his normal alias is Tank Dell.
With his sixth touchdown reception, the rookie from Houston set a franchise rookie record and finished with a season-high 149 yards on eight grabs.
Following the triumph, the rookie would undergo a significant transition when the league formally adopted Dell’s nickname, “Tank,” as his legal moniker. Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reports that Dell, whose real name is Nathaniel, officially changed to “Tank Dell” for football.
“Please note that the football name of Houston’s Nathaniel Dell, WR, Houston (Player ID #55934) has been changed to Tank Dell,” said a note on the NFL’s transaction wire, via Pelissero.
One of the funnier notes I can recall seeing on the NFL transaction wire:
“Please note that the football name of Houston’s Nathaniel Dell, WR, Houston (Player ID #55934) has been
changed to Tank Dell.”So it’s official: Goodbye, Nathaniel. Hello, Tank. pic.twitter.com/LyZzTaMgBH
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 20, 2023
The Houston Texans overcame quarterback CJ Stroud’s season-high three interceptions on the day as he threw for 336 yards and two touchdowns. Stroud is the other rookie on the club. Houston failed to score after the break, and in the fourth quarter, Stroud was intercepted on back-to-back possessions.
After nine games, he had thrown just two interceptions. The Texans defense significantly improved.
Since Houston selected the 24-year-old in the third round of the 2023 NFL selection—a decision that Stroud allegedly asked the team to do on selection night—he has played a significant role for the team. This season, he has amassed 42 receptions, 659 yards, and six touchdowns in nine games.
