It was a somber scene at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday afternoon as Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell was carried into the ambulance for what was ruled a severe knee injury.
Fans couldn’t stomach the play. Quarterback C.J. Stroud, meanwhile, let his emotions finally peak through.
Dell, who suffered a season-ending leg injury last December, had just caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Stroud to put the Texans down by a point against the Kansas City Chiefs. As he hit the turf, the second-year receiver collided with teammate Jared Wayne and Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie on his descent.
Teammates knew immediately that Dell was hurt and needed medical assistance. The aftermath was difficult to watch, as visibly upset Texans players prayed over Dell while he was being attended to.
C.J. Stroud and Joe Mixon praying over Tank Dell.
🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/rUvNPvyA19
— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) December 21, 2024
Stroud, in particular, looked quite distraught and began to cry. Cameras caught teammate Joe Mixon consoling the quarterback after the play as Dell was being placed in a brace to keep pressure on the knee.
On the field, Dell and Stroud are a dynamic duo. Off it, they’re close friends who consider each other “brothers.”
Man, a gutwrenching injury for Tank Dell. CJ Stroud was emotional on the field. pic.twitter.com/CcvEnfQfRP
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) December 21, 2024
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said that Dell would stay overnight for further evaluation at a local hospital on what’s being ruled a “significant” knee injury. He was one of three players to leave Saturday’s 27-19 loss against Kansas City on a short week of practice.
Dell was having one of his best games of the regular season, hauling in six passes for 98 yards and a touchdown. He was on his way to a second 100-yard outing before leaving with a knee injury.
Stroud would not leave the ambulance. This is heartbreaking. pic.twitter.com/YYc2MkujZx
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) December 21, 2024
The Texans are already without wideout veteran Stefon Diggs, who tore his ACL in October and will likely be without Dell for their run to the postseason. The gut-wrenching incident is a reminder of the humanity that resides in the game’s outcome.
Stroud is human. Anyone in that moment would act accordingly.
Houston returns to NRG Stadium Stadium to take on the Ravens on Christmas Day.
