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.
#Texans HC DeMeco Ryans confirms Tank Dell is out for the year with torn ACL and dislocated knee.
— Cole Thompson (@MrColeThompson) December 23, 2024
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.”
An amazing, acrobatic catch from Tank Dell, followed by the cart coming out for a knee injury. Emotional scene on the field. pic.twitter.com/zv1WF1grdr
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 21, 2024
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.
💔
— Flash1x⚡️ (@Tankdell4) December 23, 2024
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.
