The Houston Texans are already dealing with multiple injuries to their wide receivers this season, and they suffered another blow on Saturday. While Nico Collins has returned to the lineup, the team is without Stefon Diggs for the year and is now waiting on news regarding Tank Dell’s injury.
Dell, a second-year receiver, sustained a knee injury after making a touchdown catch in the third quarter. He was visibly in pain and holding his knee as he was carted off the field. Head coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed that Dell would return to Houston on Sunday for further evaluation and consultations with doctors, though he did not specify whether Dell would miss the rest of the season.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Dell dislocated his kneecap, and doctors are still working to assess the full extent of the damage. Ryans described the injury as “significant,” and Dell was taken to a Kansas City hospital overnight for additional care. NBC’s Kathryn Tappen reported that Dell’s leg was placed in a vacuum splint, typically used for severe fractures or instability concerns.
The injury occurred when Dell was caught under teammate Jared Wayne in the end zone after making the touchdown catch. Despite holding onto the ball, Dell’s leg was trapped underneath Wayne, leading to the painful injury. Many of the Texans’ players appeared visibly shaken by the incident, with quarterback C.J. Stroud especially emotional about his teammate’s misfortune.
This marks the second straight season in which Dell has suffered a serious injury due to friendly fire. In 2023, he fractured his fibula in a similar situation. With Dell, John Metchie III, and Stefon Diggs sidelined, the Texans are facing a depleted receiving corps. Dell had been having a strong game before the injury, catching 6 of 7 targets for 98 yards and a touchdown.
