The Houston Texans might have fallen to the Kansas City Chiefs in Saturday’s 27-19 defeat, but they lost more than a game entering a quick three-day turnaround.
Second-year wide receiver Tank Dell was carted off the field with what coach DeMeco Ryans later called a “significant” knee injury after hauling in a 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback C.J. Stroud in the third quarter.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Dell suffered a dislocated kneecap, and doctors were working to “determine the damage” caused by the injury. Ryans said Dell would remain at the University of Kansas Hospital overnight for further evaluation.
“All our thoughts and prayers are with Tank right now,” Ryans said. “You guys can see what he means to our entire team.”
CJ Stroud connects with Tank Dell for a 30-yard touchdown
📺: #HOUvsKC on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/yqn1VFbpVU— NFL (@NFL) December 21, 2024
Several of Dell’s teammates were distraught after watching the team’s leading receiver for the afternoon go down. Fellow receiver Nico Collins told reporters postgame that Dell is a spark needed beyond the offense.
“He’s one of my brothers man,” Collins said. “He brings that energy, brings that juice. [He] brings that energy we all need when we’re down. He’s that guy that can make you smile when everything’s not going as good.”
Running back Joe Mixon, who’s taken over as a mentor for the young crop of offensive weapons, said Dell fought throughout the offseason to get healthy for Week 1 after suffering a season-ending broken leg in Week 12 of his rookie campaign.
Nico Collins reacting to the Tank Dell injury. pic.twitter.com/1KrRaeuFmt
— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) December 21, 2024
“My man showed up to work each and every day with the best mindset and attitude. It’s an unfortunate situation,” Mixon said. “That’s the nature of this game. You can never take it for granted. The only thing we can do for Tank is be there for him.
“You know who Tank is for us. That was a big loss for us. It is a big loss.”
Stroud took the injury the hardest. Cameras flashed over to the second-year passer looking distraught as the medical team attended to Dell following his collision with teammate Jared Wayne.
A somber #Texans locker room as Joe Mixon @Joe_MainMixon reacts to significant Tank Dell left knee injury that is expected to end his season @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/rI9SQ5deB3
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 21, 2024
It’s easy to understand why Stroud was so upset about the play. Tears flowed as Dell’s leg was placed in an air cast and helped into the ambulance. Mixon consoled the young passer as the receiver left the field and headed to a nearby hospital.
“It’s not easy seeing your brother go down like that,” Stroud said. “I’m just tore up, but at the same time, I got to be strong for him. For anything whether it goes left or right, up or down, I have to praise my Lord and Savior. It’s not easy, but I try to use it as motivation. It’s not easy to just let it go.”
Stroud’s relationship with Dell goes beyond football. The two were drafted in 2023 and felt an instant bond throughout their breakout rookie seasons. On multiple television and podcast appearances, Stroud said that Dell is his “best friend on the team” and a “brother” away from the huddle.
C.J. Stroud’s leadership being questioned is pretty laughable to me.
If anything today shows how much he cares about his team & his players which can’t be said about everyone.
Stop taking for granted what we have at QB. pic.twitter.com/3pIJDmRrsX
— Jacob (@Stroud4MVP) December 22, 2024
“I appreciate the guys just talking to me because I was going through it,” Stroud said. “This will be another road in the bump for Tank. It sucks to say, but, at the end of the day, this is not the end for Tank. It’s just the beginning.”
Dell, who now faces a potential long recovery back for the 2025 season, was having one of his better outings, He caught six passes for 98 yards and a touchdown.
The Texans were low on receivers with John Metchie and two-time All-Pro Stefon Diggs out. Somehow, Dell managed to step into the No. 1 role when the Texans needed a spark.
#Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson reacts to Tank Dell horrible left knee injury @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/aHQVX57uPB
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 21, 2024
“He’s a big part of this team,” fellow receiver Xavier Hutchinson said. “We’re going to miss him. You try to play for him. He would have played with his heart out. He wears his heart on the sleeve.”
Houston (9-6) returns to NRG Stadium to take on the Baltimore Ravens (10-5) on Christmas Day.
