The road to recovery is underway for Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell.
Dell, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Kansas City Chiefs in late December, is expected to have the first of several surgeries Wednesday to repair torn ligaments in his knee.
The second-year pass-catcher announced the news on Tuesday via his Instagram.
The surgery is only step one to multiple steps in a long process for Dell as he looks to return to the Texans’ offseason. In Week 16’s loss at Arrowhead Stadium, Dell dislocated his knee and suffered a torn ACL, LCL, and MCL. He also and meniscus damage.
#Texans wide receiver Tank Dell @Tankdell4 who dislocated his knee, tore ACL, MCL, LCL, and damaged meniscus in horrific injury against #Chiefs to undergo one of multiple surgeries Wednesday @KPRC2 long road back begins for former @UHCougarFB standout https://t.co/qaEOoy9XHM pic.twitter.com/gPvnDiGCBJ
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 14, 2025
Before the injury, Dell was having one of his best games of the season against the Chiefs, totaling six catches for 98 yards and a touchdown. Sadly, the touchdown grab also marked the end of his 2024 season.
He finished the year with 51 catches for 667 yards and three touchdowns.
It’s possible he could miss the entire 2025 season given the length of recovery from multiple surgeries. It also marks the second season-ending surgery for the former third-round pick since being drafted out of the University of Houston in 2023.
Last week, Dell returned to the facility for the first time since suffering the injury. He was greeted by players and members of the staff with a warm embrace before Saturday’s playoff win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
C.J. Stroud was emotional when asked about Tank Dell’s injury:
“That’s my best friend … I was going through it.”
: @WillKunkelFOX pic.twitter.com/PMRewqhUNs https://t.co/4EXEPuVJru
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) December 21, 2024
During the pregame, Dell’s teammates all wore T-shirts with his face on it in support of him. He also had a special moment with C.J. Stroud and fellow injured receiver Stefon Diggs.
“It was good to see him back smiling, around with guys on the sideline, everybody saying what’s up to him,” Stroud said following Saturday’s game. “I think that was good for him and his spirit. Keep him in your prayers and keep uplifting him, because it’s hard time for both of them right now. I hope they were smiling a little bit as we were playing.”
The Texans return to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Chiefs this Saturday in the AFC Divisional Round at 3:30 p.m. CT. The game will be nationally televised on ABC and ESPN.