In a heartbreaking loss, someone has to stand out.
On Thursday night, that was Houston Texans second-year receiver Tank Dell.
Dell secured season-highs in receptions (six) and receiving yards (126) as the Texans fell at MetLife Stadium to the New York Jets, 21-13.
While the former third-round pick never found his way into the end zone, Dell got his groove back after an underwhelming beginning to the season.
Over three hours, the former No. 2 target proved his No. 1 threat potential for C.J. Stroud in the absence of Pro Bowler receiver Stefon Diggs and go-to option Nico Collins.
Dell averaged 22 yards per catch. He caught three passes over 20 yards downfield, including a 50-yard reception midway through the third quarter to get the Texans down at midfield.
Outside of Dell, Stroud had little to work with in the passing game. Dalton Schultz and Robert Woods combined for 65 yards on catches. Five others were targeted but never recorded a reception.
Dell came close to securing his third touchdown reception of the regular season, but All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner was flagged for a pass interference call. Stroud never connected with Dell again on the drive, but Houston managed to score on a 3-yard touchdown run from Joe Mixon.
Diggs, who suffered a torn ACL in the third quarter of Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, is out for the year. Collins, who’s been on the injured reserve with a hamstring injury, should be back in time for Week 10’s matchup against the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football.
Houston needs a secondary option and Dell showed his rookie season was more than a one-hit wonder. Last year, the Houston product totaled 47 catches for 709 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games.
After Thursday’s performance, Dell has collected 30 receptions through eight games. He now has 355 yards and two touchdowns.
For Dell’s rebounding performance against one of the NFL’s better secondaries, he’s Texans Wire’s Player of the Game for Week 9.
He joins Mixon, Diggs, Collins, kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn, defensive end Danielle Hunter and linebacker Neville Hewitt as a recipient of the weekly honor.
