Terrible news for Tank Dell and the Houston Texans. His coach Demeco Ryans announced this Monday via ESPN that the receiver had dislocated his kneecap and torn his anterior cruciate ligament during the loss against the Chiefs on Saturday. The injury occurred during a collision with teammate Jared Wayne. Dell was immediately taken to the hospital before returning to Houston on Sunday for further testing. He should have surgery soon and will therefore miss at least the end of the season. Additionally, Ryans hinted that the surgery could be used to repair “other things,” without elaborating.
Tank Dell is definitely unlucky. This is the second leg injury he has suffered since his rookie season. He broke his leg in December 2023. Last April, Dell was shot during an event at Stanford. Fortunately, his injury was only minor and he was released from the hospital quickly.
Tank Dell, new blow for the Texans
Tank Dell's injury did not fail to move his teammates and in particular his quarterback, CJ Stroud. Especially knowing what he has already had to overcome to get back on the field.
“It’s not easy to see your brother go out like that with a serious injury last year already,” he said (ESPN). »There's not much to say, it's not the end for him, just a bump in the road. »
With 667 yards and 3 touchdowns, Dell was an important player in the Texan receiving squad. With Stefon Diggs' injury earlier in the season, Houston's strengths are weakening further.
“You can’t replace a Tank Dell, you can’t replace a Stefon Diggs. Tank does a lot of things that make him special,” lamented Bobby Slowik (Offensive Coordinator) to the journalists’ microphones.
Diontae Johnson arrives as reinforcement
Just cut by Baltimore after a rather…unsuccessful experience, Diontae Johnson arrives in Texas. Indeed, Adam Schefter reports that Houston decided to get him back from waiver.
With a record of 9-6 and despite a guaranteed place in the playoffs, the Texans are not very convincing this year. CJ Stroud is struggling compared to his rookie season and Diontae Johnson will now have to help John Metchie III, Robert Woods and Xavier Hutchinson compensate for the absence of Tank Dell.
