Tank Dell is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024 season after suffering a dislocated knee in the Houston Texans‘ 27-19 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday.
That’s only the beginning of his recovery back to the field at NRG Stadium.
According to KPRC2 Sports Aaron Wilson, Dell will likely miss the entirety of the 2025 NFL season after also suffering a torn MCL, ACL, LCL and meniscus damage after hauling in a 30-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud.
The severity of the injury will require multiple surgeries over the offseason and into next spring.
#Texans WR Tank Dell also suffered a torn MCL and a torn LCL, along with a torn ACL, a dislocated knee cap, and meniscus damage from his TD catch on Saturday. Per @AaronWilson_NFL
The injuries just keep piling up for Tank Dell. Prayers up. Lots of surgeries to come and a LONG… pic.twitter.com/psg8D36QAE
— Dylan Delgatto (@DDelgattoNFL) December 24, 2024
“Unfortunately, it has to be considered career-threatening, but we all hope not career-ending. Surgery is usually staged with this severe an injury,” former 17-year NFL team head doctor David Chao told Wilson. “Whatever you can repair, you repair now, the MCL and LCL. The ACL is typically a reconstruction and you delay that until later when swelling goes down and there’s more mobility.”
Dell, who last December suffered a season-ending leg injury in December, caught a pass at the back of the end zone before colliding with teammate Jared Wayne. Teammates immediately knew he needed medical assistance after he grabbed his leg.
The second-year standout was placed in an air cast and taken to a local hospital for further medical assistance. He remained back in Kansas City on Saturday night before flying home Sunday afternoon to meet with a second medical team in Houston.
Dell, who’s always been questioned for his 165-pound playing weight, was finally getting back to his Pro Bowl rookie form at Arrowhead Stadium. He totaled six catches for 98 yards and a touchdown before leaving.
Chao told KPRC2 that Dell’s injury mirrors that of Cleveland Browns All-Pro running back Nick Chubb, though the damage for Dell is more extensive given the multiple torn ligaments.
🚨 Tank Dell injury update:
He tore his left:
ACL
MCL
LCL
MeniscusThis will take multiple surgeries, with the first likely repairing the MCL + LCL.
Then after 6-8 weeks, depending on the stability of the knee, the ACL will be reconstructed. It is unclear if the MPFL (holds… https://t.co/3k3WDsFmmK
— Jesse Morse, MD (@DrJesseMorse) December 25, 2024
“This is a much more complicated surgery process than an isolated ACL and, as such, it’s going to be multiple surgeries and lots of follow-up,” Chao said. “As much as this is a devastating injury, Nick Chubb did return to play his next season. Let’s hope for a similar good outcome for Tank Dell.”
Dell ends his season with 51 receptions for 667 yards and three touchdowns. He posted a message on social media Sunday night with an emoji of a broken heart.
The Texans return to NRG Stadium Wednesday to take on the Baltimore Ravens as part of a Netflix Christmas double-header.
