Tag: Tank Dell injury

Texans WR Tank Dell out for the year with dislocated knee, torn ACL

Much like last year, Tank Dell’s season for the Houston Texans was cut short due to injury.

Tank Dell’s season is officially over.

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed Monday that the second-year receiver suffered a dislocated knee and a torn ACL that will require surgery.

Initially, it was reported that Dell suffered a dislocated kneecap. The severity of the injury was more than that after further examination.

On the Texans’ first possession of the second half of Saturday’s 27-19 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs, quarterback C.J. Stroud threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Dell to make it 17-16 game.

But as Dell began to go down, fellow Texans wideout Jared Wayne collided with Dell’s lower leg deep in the end zone. He immediately grabbed his leg and needed medical assistance.

Teammates were visibly distraught as Dell’s leg was placed in an air cast. He was lifted into the back of an ambulance and taken to a local hospital.

Dell, who had taken over the Texans’ No. 2 receiver after two-time AllPro Stefon Diggs suffered a torn ACL in Week 8, was having one of his better games. Before leaving, he caught six passes for 98 yards and a touchdown.

“We know how much he meant to this team,” wide receiver Nico Collins said of Dell. “But losing one of your brothers, man, it hurts. Speedy recovery for my dog. Mentally, he’s going through it, but we have to keep stepping, keep climbing for him.”

Saturday marked the second season-ending lower-body injury for Dell since being drafted out of Houston in 2023. His rookie was cut short after he suffered a broken leg in Week 12’s win over the Denver Broncos.

Last April, Dell was shot at a private event in Sanford, Florida, where authorities said a teenage gunman injured 10 people after an altercation. Dell’s wound was minor, and he was released from the hospital shortly after the shooting.

Dell ends his 2024 season with 51 catches for 667 yards and three touchdowns. On Sunday, he posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, for the first time since the incident.

Houston could target a wide receiver on the open market, but it likely won’t come until after its Christmas Day matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. The Texans could be getting back John Metchie for Wednesday’s game, but his status remains a mystery entering the final workout.

“We’re always exploring everything we have to do to improve our team,” Ryans said.

Kickoff is scheduled for Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

Tank Dell injury update: Texans WR returns home following ‘significant’ knee injury

The Texans have an update on wide receiver Tank Dell following their return home to Houston.

The Houston Texans lost more than a matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday afternoon.

One of their star players could miss more than just the rest of the 2024 season.

Second-year wide receiver Tank Dell suffered a dislocated kneecap during Saturday’s 29-17 Texans loss at Arrowhead Stadium. Doctors are working to determine the damage but Houston has provided an update since he was carted off in the third quarter.

Here’s the latest on Dell’s status.

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

Tank Dell injury update

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed that Dell was currently flying home to Houston after spending the night in Kansas City at a local hospital. He also said that Dell would remain under evaluation and continue to meet with doctors.

“It is a significant knee injury, and our thoughts and prayers are definitely with Tank at this time.”

When asked for a timetable, Ryans wouldn’t say if Dell is out for the season but took the time to thank the doctors and medical staff in Kansas City for being so accommodating.

“I really thought those guys did a really unbelievable job. [Chiefs Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance] Rick Burkholder and his staff, they did an unbelievable job,” Ryans said. “Very thankful for Kansas City’s entire organization and their medical team.”

Dell, who suffered a similar season-ending injury last season against the Denver Broncos, collided with teammate Jared Wayne after hauling in a 30-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud during the third quarter.

It was clear by his teammate’s reaction that Dell needed immediate medical attention. An air cast was placed around his leg as Dell was quickly ruled out after to being taken to the hospital for further testing carted.

Stroud, who’s openly talked about the bond between him and Dell, was perhaps the most emotional Texans’ player on the field. Cameras flashed to him being visibly upset while being consoled by running back Joe Mixon.

“The emotion that you see from C.J. and from our entire team, it goes back to something we talked about at training camp of building a tight bond, building a deeper relationship as a team and growing tighter as a team,” Ryans said.  “And I think that’s what showed now.

“To see one of your best friends distraught, in pain on the field like that, those emotions will come up when you truly, genuinely care about your brother, you care about your teammate.”

Will Tank Dell miss the remainder of the year?

Barring a second option from the medical staff, Dell is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024 season. He could be out longer if surgery is required.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, that’s still a possibilty. Dell might have returned to Houston, but a medical team will determine what happens next to help with his recovery process.

Tank Dell stats

Dell was en route to perhaps his best game of the regular season before the injury, hauling in 6-of-7 targets for 98 yards and a touchdown.

After a slow start, he’ll potentially finish his second season with 51 catches for 667 yards and three touchdowns.

Texans WR depth chart

Houston’s already without two-time All-Pro Stefon Diggs for the remainder of the year. The former Bills star suffered a torn ACL in Week mid-October on a non-contact play and recently underwent surgery.

Here’s a look at the team’s depth chart of options right now entering a short week of practice:

  • Nico Collins
  • John Metchie III
  • Robert Woods
  • Xavier Hutchinson
  • Jared Wayne

Metchie, who did not play in Sunday’s matchup, returned to practice on Sunday and should be cleared to play on Wednesday.

“He’s progressing, so we’ll see where he ends up on Wednesday,” Ryans said. “It’s funny saying Wednesday.”

When asked if the Texans could target a wide receiver on the market, Ryans didn’t turn down the idea but also noted with a short week they likely wouldn’t factor into the game plan with a short week.

“We’re always exploring everything we have to do to improve our team,” Ryans said.

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.

Texans learn unsettling severity of WR Tank Dell’s injury

Tank Dell’s season is more than likely over for the Houston Texans following the recent news of his knee injury.

Tank Dell’s season might be over, but at least the Houston Texans know the severity of the injury.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Dell suffered a dislocated kneecap during Saturday’s 29-17 Texans loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Doctors are working to determine the damage.

Surgery is reportedly a possibility but has not happened yet.

Following the game, Texas coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters that Dell would remain behind in Kansas City after suffering a “significant” knee injury during the third quarter.

“All our thoughts and prayers are with Tank right now,” Ryans said. “You guys can see what he means to our entire team.”

During the third quarter, Dell hauled in a 30-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud to bring Houston within a point. When he went down, teammate Jared Wayne collided with Dell’s lower leg just under the kneecap.

The second-year wideout immediately grabbed his leg and barely moved. Several Texans players hovered around Dell as his leg was placed in an air cast. He was then lifted into the back of the ambulance and taken to a nearby hospital.

Dell, who suffered a similar leg injury in Week 12 of last season, was having one of his better games since being drafted out of the University of Houston. He led the team in both catches (6) and receiving yards (98) while hauling in the touchdown.

“It hurts to see him go down like that,” Ryans said. “He was having a fantastic game.”

The hit affected multiple players, including C.J. Stroud, who was visibly upset and was later consoled by running back Joe Mixon as Dell was helped onto the stretcher.

“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,” Stroud said. “It’s not easy, but after [the injury] I try to use it as motivation, it’s not easy to just let it go. That’s my best friend. It’s not easy to move on and just keep playing. I tried to do the best that I could.”

Dell’s injury is the second detrimental blow to Houston’s passing game this season. The Texans lost two-time All-pro Stefon Diggs back in October to a torn ACL.

Now, Dell’s status for the playoffs doesn’t seem to be in doubt, but rather over.

“Speedy recovery for my dog,” receiver Nico Collins said. “Mentally he’s going through it, but we have to keep stepping, keep climbing for him.”

The Texans have three days to prepare before they face the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day.

Texans WR Tank Dell taken to local hospital following gut-wrenching hit vs. Chiefs

Tank Dell’s season is likely over following the latest update.

(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccurate headline.)

The Houston Texans knew they’d be without receiver Tank Dell for the rest of their Week 16 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.

It’s looking like he’ll be out for much longer.

According to the NBC broadcast, Dell is being taken to a University of Kansas Medical Center, just outside of Arrowhead Stadium, meaning there’s a seriousness to the injury.

Dell likely will not travel back with the Texans this evening following a 27-19 loss at Arrowhead. He also will likely miss the remainder of the regular season.

Dell was immediately ruled out of Saturday’s contest after sustaining a serious knee injury while making an improbable 30-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter. He absorbed a heavy hit on the catch while colliding with Texans receiver Jared Wayne as he fell to the ground.

While he made the catch, it was clear more problems ensued. Dell immediately grabbed his knee in pain. He stayed on the grass for several minutes and was eventually carted off the field.

Multiple Texans players were visibly distraught after the play. Wayne was seen crying after the play as the medical team attended to the fallen Texan.

Cameras caught Stroud crying after seeing the play unfold. He lay on his knees just inches away from Dell as trainers tended to him. Running back Joe Mixon took a knee next to Stroud and patted his quarterback on the back while trying to help him regain his composure.

Dell, who suffered a season-ending leg injury in Week 12 last season against the Denver Broncos, was having one of his better games, totaling six catches for 98 yards and a touchdown. He was well on his way to a second 100-yard outing before leaving in the third quarter.

Houston’s dealt with its share of injuries at the receiver position this year. Two-time All-Pro Stefon Diggs suffered a season-ending torn ACL against the Colts in October.

Nico Collins missed five weeks due to a hamstring issue. It appears Dell will miss that much time moving forward, too.

WATCH: Texans WR Tank Dell scores TD vs. Chiefs

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell hauled in a 30-yard touchdown pass, but may be out for a while after suffering a scary injury.

The Houston Texans found the end zone but it came with a price.

On 2nd-and-7, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud went to the air on a deep play-action shot and connected with second-year receiver Tank Dell for a 30-yard score against the Kansas City Chiefs.

However, while making the catch, Dell had a Kansas City defensive back and Texans wide receiver inadvertently collide with his knee.

Dell remained down for a long period until the stretcher came out to cart him off the field.

Stroud was visible distraught after the play. Houston has already lost offensive lineman Shaq Mason and defensive back Jimmie Ward for the game, but Dell’s injury may be a season ender.

The Texans have already ruled out Dell for the remainder of the game.

Dell had his electric rookie season cut short with a leg injury. In 13 games in 2024, Dell had 45 receptions for 569 yards and two touchdowns.

Dell was in the midst of one of his best games of the year against Kansas City, catching six passes for 98 yards and a touchdown.

Tank Dell injury update: Will Texans WR play in Week 10 ‘SNF’ showdown vs. Lions?

Tank Dell is dealing with a back injury entering Sunday’s matchup against the Detroit Lions.

The Houston Texans are getting healthy at the right time.

While the AFC South favorites will be without All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs for the remainder of the season, they are getting back defensive back Jimmie Ward and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.

But the Texans saw an unfamiliar face on the injury report Friday afternoon. Second-year receiver Tank Dell appeared on the injury report with a back injury.  

Will Dell be cleared to return to action, or will the Texans hold him out until he is as close to 100% as possible? Here’s what to know about the No. 2 receiver’s injury and status for Week 10.

Tank Dell injury update

Dell, who was healthy throughout the week, was listed on the injury report for the first time on Friday afternoon. He was limited during the walk-through and was listed as questionable in the final injury report. 

With Diggs out, Dell stepped up as the No. 1 target in a 21-13 loss against the New York Jets, hauling in six passes for 126 yards. Robert Woods was the only receiver to catch another pass as C.J. Stroud was sacked a career-high eight times. 

Dell, who suffered a season-ending leg injury last year, has already missed a game this season after leaving late in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings.

Will Tank Dell play Week 10 vs. Lions?

According to KPRC2 Sports‘ Aaron Wilson, Dell is expected to play against the Lions after being added to the injury report. Fellow receiver Nico Collins is expected to be a game-time decision after being activated from the injury report on Saturday afternoon. 

This season, Dell has been hit-or-miss, though he’s trending upward following his breakout performance against the Jets. In eight games, the former Houston Cougars star has notched 30 catches for 355 yards and two touchdowns. 

Texans WR depth chart

With Collins technically still sidelined and Diggs on the season-ending injured reserve, here’s a look at the Texans receiving depth chart entering Week 10.

  • Tank Dell
  • Robert Woods
  • John Metchie III
  • Xavier Hutchinson
  • Steven Sims

Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik praised Dell’s performance after taking over as the leading receiver last Thursday.

Since Diggs’ departure, Dell has collected 10 catches for 141 yards and one touchdown on 13 targets.

“He took advantage of some matchups, and some plays worked out where we had given him plenty of opportunities in the last three or four weeks,” Slowik said. “Sometimes, you can’t control the coverage.” 

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on NBC. 

Texans vs. Jaguars: Jacksonville TE Evan Engram likely out Sunday

While the Houston Texans might be without Tank Dell, the Jacksonville Jaguars will be without their star tight end.

The Houston Texans might be without star receiver Tank Dell Sunday at home, but the Jacksonville Jaguars will also be down a key offensive weapon.

Jaguars coach Doug Pederson all but ruled out Pro Bowl tight end Evan Engram for Sunday’s matchup at NRG Stadium. When asked out his status Friday morning, Pederson listed Engram as “doubtful.”

The former first-round pick suffered a strained hamstring during warmups before the team’s home opener against the Cleveland Browns. Engram didn’t play last week in a 47-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football.

https://twitter.com/jjones9/status/1839675887345684855

“With a hamstring like that, they’re finicky; let’s call it that,” Pederson told reporters. “It’ll be a long shot.”

While Engram’s departure hurts the Jaguars, Dell’s potential absence stings for Houston’s passing game. The former third-round pick out of the University of Houston suffered a rib injury in Week 3’s loss at Minnesota and hasn’t practiced all week in preparation for Sunday’s showdown.
“We’re confident the guys we have that are going to step up,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said Thursday. “If Tank can’t go, it’s not really going to make anybody blink. It’s just next man up.”
https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1839676661396345004
Last year as Houston’s No. 2 target, Dell caught 47 balls for 709 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games before he broke his left fibula against the Denver Broncos in early December.
Albeit a slow start, he was coming off his best performance Sunday with a season-high five catches for 62 yards. Dell also factored into the run game, recording a pair of reverse handoffs for 17 and 18 yards against the Colts and Bears, respectively.

Report: Texans WR Tank Dell not expected to play vs. Jaguars

Tank Dell’s status for Sunday’s matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars is not looking promising for the Houston Texans.

The hits keep coming for the Houston Texans entering Week 4’s matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

According to KPRC 2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, wide receiver Tank Dell is unlikely to play in Sunday’s home matchup due to painful bruised ribs suffered at the end of a road loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Dell missed the last two practices with what’s been ruled a chest injury, though he also is dealing with ailments to the hand and wrist. Fellow receiver Nico Collins was limited in practice, but his status could be more of a precautionary element.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday that Dell will be “day to day” and they will “see how he continues to progress” throughout the week following his departure in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

Ryans also defended his decision to keep Dell, along with a majority of starters, in the game late despite being down by three scores entering the final drive.

“Injuries can happen at any given time,” Ryans said. “What if the injury happened first play of the game? Should he be out there? We can’t control when injuries happen. Guys are going to play. That’s part of our game, part of the nature of the business.

“Nobody can predict when injuries happen or when a guy should be in or shouldn’t be in.”

https://twitter.com/NickSchwagerNFL/status/1839079177791676509

Dell, who served as the Texans’ No. 2 target after being drafted out of the University of Houston last season, was off to a slow start in wins over the Colts and Bears, totaling four catches for 34 yards. In Week 3, he collected a season-high five catches for 62 yards before leaving late.

Last season, he caught 47 balls for 709 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games before he broke his left fibula against the Denver Broncos in early December.

https://twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/1839349734261301729

“We’re confident the guys we have that are going to step up,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said Thursday. “If Tank can’t go, it’s not really going to make anybody blink. It’s just next man up.”

With Dell potentially sidelined, the Texans have plenty of depth at the position, including Xavier Hutchinson, Robert Woods, Steven Sims and John Metchie III.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.

Jaguars vs. Texans, Week 4 injury report: Wednesday

Here’s who missed Wednesday’s practice for the Houston Texans.

The Houston Texans’ offense was already down a pair of key weapons entering Week 4’s matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. They now might be without one of C.J. Stroud’s best targets.

Wide receiver Tank Dell missed Wednesday after suffering a chest injury in Sunday’s loss against the Minnesota Vikings. Running backs Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) also did not partake in drills.

According to KPRC 2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, Pierce is nearing a return to practice after missing the past two games. While Mixon is listed as day-to-day, it seems like Houston could elect to rest him one more week before taking on the Buffalo Bills next Sunday.

Dell’s absence is crucial due to his success against Jacksonville. Last season as a rookie, the former Houston product finished with 10 catches for 195 yards and two touchdowns in two games.

“Tank will be day-to-day,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “We’ll see how he continues to progress.”

Dell started off slow over the first two games entering his second season, totaling just four receptions for 34 yards. Sunday seemed to be a turning point after hauling in a season-best five passes for 62 yards prior to leaving in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

Despite being down by 27, Ryans elected to keep all starters besides Stroud in the game for the final seven minutes with second-team quarterback Davis Mills.

“Injuries can happen at any given time,” Ryans said. “What if the injury happened first play of the game? Should he be out there? We can’t control when injuries happen. Guys are going to play. That’s part of our game, part of the nature of the business.

“Nobody can predict when injuries happen or when a guy should be in, shouldn’t be in.”

If the Texans are to be without Dell, John Metchie III could see action for the first time this season. He’s been inactive as a healthy scratch in all three games since making the 53-man roster.

“We have other guys who are well equipped,” Stroud said Wednesday. “Would we love to have one of the best receivers in the league to be out there? For sure. But it’s always, sadly in this league, next man up. Gotta find a way to win a football game.”

Here’s Wednesday’s full injury report for both Houston and Jacksonville:

Houston Texans

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game Status
WR Tank Dell chest DNP
DL Foley Fatukasi shoulder DNP
RB Joe Mixon ankle DNP
RB Dameon Pierce hamstring DNP
OL Kenyon Green illness LP
OL Jarrett Patterson calf LP
DB Jimmie Ward groin LP
TE Dalton Schultz ankle LP

DNP: Did not practice; LP: Limited participation ; FP: Full participation

Jacksonville Jaguars

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game Status
TE Evan Engram hamstring DNP
LB Foyesade Oluokun foot DNP
RB Tank Bigsby shoulder LP
OL Cam Robinson shoulder LP
WR Gabe Davis shoulder LP
DB Darnell Savage quad LP
OT Anton Harrison knee LP
CB Jarrian Jones shoulder LP
CB Montaric Brown chest LP

DNP: Did not practice; LP: Limited participation ; FP: Full participation