Houston has a problem. Tank Dell’s worst fears were realized after the Houston Texans wide receiver appeared to suffer a catastrophic knee injury against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday afternoon.
With just under 12 minutes remaining in the third quarter of Houston’s 27-19 loss, Dell snagged a 30-yard touchdown reception from quarterback C.J. Stroud in the back of the endzone. After making the spectacular catch there was some friendly fire. His leg collided with the helmet of teammate Jared Wayne, who was diving for the ball.
Talking to the media on Monday, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, who also use to play for the organization, revealed that Dell suffered a dislocated knee cap and a torn ACL, in addition to “some other thing there that he’ll have to get repaired.” He is scheduled to undergo surgery, and his 2024 campaign is over.
In the first two years of his NFL career, Dell has gone through and experienced his fair share of adversity while overcoming several health setbacks. In 2023 during his rookie season, the 25-year-old sustained a season-ending fractured fibula. The ensuing offseason, he suffered a non-life-threatening wound in a Florida shooting.
In the 48 hours since Dell’s latest injury, Stroud could not contain his emotions and was visibly distraught as his best friend on the team was stretchered off the field. “It’s not easy to see your brother go down like that after dealing with a season-ending injury last season,” the signal-caller told members of the media on Monday.
“Got to just be there for him and, it’s not easy, I think everybody saw how hard I took [Dell’s injury]. There’s not a lot to say, but this isn’t the end for him, this is just another bump in the road.”
Embed from Getty ImagesIn 14 games this season, Dell accumulated 51 receptions on 81 targets for 667 yards and three scores. Though Stroud will now be without one of his favorite targets for the rest of the year and possibly the majority of 2025, he expressed confidence that the wideout will bounce back from the health setback.
“There have been plenty of players who have had season-ending injuries back-to-back,” he said. “I was talking to my agent this morning and he was talking about how Derwin James went through the same thing, Jaycee Horn as well. They’re playing good ball now, so that’s hope. There’s always light at the end of the tunnel. I think people should just give Tank a little space right now and pray for him from afar.”
According to Ryans, Stroud’s emotional response on Saturday is a testament to the Texans’ tightknit locker room. “C.J., of course he cares. Tank is one of his best friends,” he said.
“So, to see one of your best friends distraught, in pain on a field like that, those emotions will come up when you truly, genuinely care about your brother. You care about your teammate.
“It was emotional for a lot of guys and it was hard to watch. But it’s also like, wow, this is a really, really tight team. You see how much guys really, truly care for each other.”
The Texans also claimed well-traveled veteran wide receiver Diontae Johnson off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, sources told ESPN’s Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
“You can’t replace a Tank Dell,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said. “You can’t replace a Stefon Diggs … Tank does a bunch of things that make him special. And he showed that on Saturday.”
Dell was not the only Texans starter to sustain a season-ending injury Saturday. Veteran safety Jimmie Ward went down with a midfoot sprain that will need surgery, Ryans said. Guard Shaq Mason, meanwhile, sustained a knee injury Saturday that will leave him with a status of week-to-week.
The Texans sit at 9-6 and will be undermanned as they host a tough opponent, the Baltimore Ravens (10-5) on Christmas Day.
