Tank Dell suffered a gruesome knee injury while reeling in a touchdown catch in the Texans’ Week 16 game against the Chiefs.
The 25-year-old wide receiver came down with the ball deep in the end zone in the third quarter. After the play, other players on the field immediately called for trainers for the injured Dell.
Dell’s left leg was put into a brace before he was carted off the field. His Texans teammates were visibly shaken up after the injury. Dell will not return to Saturday’s game as Houston seeks a comeback win against Kansas City.
Here are the latest updates for Dell after his leg injury.
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Tank Dell injury updates
Dell caught a third-quarter touchdown against the Chiefs in Week 16 but suffered a devastating leg injury in the process. The video of the injury is graphic but can be viewed here.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was shaken up from the injury. Tears streamed down his face as Dell was carted off the field, and head coach DeMeco Ryans consoled his young signal-caller on the sideline.
Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn missed his first extra point of the season after the injury, making the score at 17-16 after Dell’s touchdown.
Texans WR Tank Dell had his left leg immobilized in a brace. His teammates were distraught; a brutal injury and difficult to watch for all.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 21, 2024
Dell was taken to the nearby University of Kansas Medical Center, per
According to the NBC broadcast, #Texans WR Tank Dell was transported to University of Kansas Medical Center, an indication of the seriousness of care.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 21, 2024 ” target=”_blank”>NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Ryans said that Dell will stay in Kansas City overnight and has been diagnosed with a “significant knee injury.”
Texans HC DeMeco Ryans told reporters that wide receiver Tank Dell will remain at a Kansas City hospital overnight with a “significant” knee injury.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 21, 2024
Dell has been diagnosed with a dislocated knee cap. They are still determining the severity of the injury and surgery is an option.
#Texans WR Tank Dell suffered a dislocated knee cap, sources say, as doctors are working to determine the damage. Surgery is possible, but has not yet happened.
Dell’s injury is significant, as coach DeMeco Ryans said. Not clear how significant. pic.twitter.com/lSdNF7A4Dx
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 21, 2024
This post will be updated.
Texans WR depth chart
| Position | Player |
| 1. | Nico Collins |
| 2. | Stefon Diggs — IR, Torn ACL |
| 3. | Tank Dell — Out, Knee |
| 4. | John Metchie III — Out, Shoulder |
| 5. | Robert Woods |
| 6. | Xavier Hutchinson |
Houston’s wide receiver room keeps getting hit by injuries. Collins missed five games earlier this season with an injury, but has been able to return. Diggs played in eight games before tearing his ACL and he is done for the year. Dell’s injury looks bad, and it could be season ending. The wide receiver only played in 11 games in his rookie season last year due to suffering a fractured leg.
Texans remaining schedule
| Week | Opponent |
| 17 | vs. Ravens |
| 18 | at Titans |
Houston has already locked down the AFC South so are guaranteed a top four seed in the AFC playoff picture. Even if the Texans lose their final two games, they cannot fall below the No. 4 seed.
