Tag: Tank Dell 2024

C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins, Texans players reacat to Tank Dell’s heartbreaking injury

Multiple players from the Houston Texans spoke on the play that potentially ended Tank Dell’s 2024 season.

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.”

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.

“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.

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.

“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.

“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.

Tank Dell injury update: WR carted off after TD reception, out for remainder of game

Tank Dell will miss the remainder of Saturday’s games after suffering a heart-breaking knee injury in the third quarter at Arrowhead Stadium.

Somehow, Tank Dell made an improbable catch.

If only that’s how the story ended for the Houston Texans’ second-year receiver.

The Texans receiver hauled in a 30-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud, but it came the price of colliding with Jared Wayne, who also diving for the deep ball. Wayne crashed into Dell’s left leg and managed to hold onto the ball for six points, but within seconds, the Texans had a bigger problem than a PAT to tie the game.

Here’s everything to know about Dell’s injury.

(Editor’s note: The below video contains video of Dell’s injury following his touchdown catch. Viewer discretion is advised.)

Tank Dell injury update

Dell needed immediate medical assistance after colliding with Wayne on the touchdown reception. A cart came out to take him back for further examination, which could require more than x-rays inside the locker room.

Dell’s teammates were immediately concerned for him after the play Wayne and Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud both appeared to be in tears as the cart came out for Dell.

Stroud had to be consoled by multiple teammates, including running back Joe Mixon right after the injury. Ka’imi Fairbairn missed the point after attempt, leaving the score at 17-16.

Will Tank Dell return?

Dell will not return to Saturday’s contest. The Texans have already ruled him out with a knee injury. His leg was immobilized in a brace to keep the swelling down for further examination.

Houston likely will be without Dell for next week’s matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day. His status for the AFC Playoffs remains a mystery, though it doesn’t look promising.

If Dell’s injury is as bad as it looked, it could be a season-ender for the second-year tartget. That would also be a major blow to the offensive passing attack.

The Texans already lost Stefon Diggs to a season-ending knee injury. Nico Collins missed five games with a hamstring injury. Currently, John Metchie is out with a shoulder injury and the team recently released receiver Steven Sims.

Tank Dell stats

Dell, who last season suffered a season-ending leg injury in Week 12, had 569 yards and two touchdowns this season through 14 games. He was having a breakout game Saturday against the Chiefs’ defense, hauling in six catches with 98 yards and a touchdown.

Texans WR depth chart

With Dell and Metchie already out, here’s who’s left for the Texans’ offense in a very limited room at wide receiver for  the remainder of Saturday’s contest.

  • Nico Collins
  • Xavier Hutchinson
  • Robert Woods
  • Jared Wayne

(This story has been updated.)

Is Tank Dell’s breakout game for the Texans coming in Week 8?

The Houston Texans need a breakout game from Tank Dell and Sunday might be his time to shine against the Indianapolis Colts.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

The Houston Texans need more from second-year receiver Tank Dell if they plan on winning more than just the AFC South division title.

DeMeco Ryans knows this.

C.J. Stroud knows this.

Dell knows it, too. All three are equally responsible for his sophomore slump entering the regular season’s halfway point.

“I believe in Tank, believe he’ll be able to make some big-time explosive plays for us,” Ryans said in preparation for Sunday’s matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. “He just has to keep going and he will do that. I have all the faith in Tank.”

After securing the most touchdowns in franchise history for a rookie, Dell has been dormant in the passing game. Initially, Nico Collins’ immense production played a factor, but the top target has been on the injured reserve for two weeks.

Stefon Diggs has taken over as the new No. 1. Dell, who last season caught 47 passes for 709 yards and seven touchdowns, hasn’t taken over his promotion at the secondary option, recording just 20 catches for 194 yards and one touchdown.

In Sunday’s loss against the Green Bay Packers, Dell didn’t record a reception. He was only targeted four times and dropped a pair of passes, including one on the opening drive that would have gone for a touchdown.

On third-and-15, Stroud tried to find Dell again, but the ball was out of bounds. Even if the former University of Houston star caught it, the Texans would have faced a fourth-and-long situation.

Stroud praised Dell for keeping a positive attitude despite his postgame frustrations. He admitted the play-calling the need to “get the rock” more early and often to Dell whenever he’s open.

“I am really proud of him how he approached today and how he approached yesterday having an off day and Monday after the game,” Stroud said Wednesday. “Just trying to get better in the weight room and just checking on him and making sure he is in high spirits and he does the same thing for me.”

Sunday could be a chance for Dell to break out. The Colts rank 27th in pass coverage, allowing 222.1 yards per game. They’ve also allowed 10 touchdowns while giving up a passer rating of 98.3.

Much like Houston being down Collins, Indianapolis will be without top cover corner JuJu Brents. Diggs, who leads the team in reception, will draw a matchup against Jaylon Jones, while Dell should mirror former 49ers defensive back Samuel Womack.

Ryans isn’t pressuring Dell to deliver, but if there was a game to step up, Sunday would be a prime moment.

“With Tank, he just has to keep going,” Ryans said.

Kickoff at Lucas Oil Stadium is scheduled for noon CT.