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The Texans are already dealing with their fair share of injuries at receiver this season, but added another unfortunate one on Saturday.
While the team is enjoying having Nico Collins back in the fold, they are without Stefon Diggs for the season and now will have to hold their breath on Tank Dell.
The second-year receiver went down in a heap of pain following a touchdown catch in the third quarter of Saturday’s game, holding his knee.
(Editor’s note: The below post contains video of Dell’s injury following his touchdown catch. Viewer discretion is advised.)
Here’s the latest on Dell.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Dell suffered a dislocated kneecap and that “doctors are working to determine the damage” caused by the injury.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters in a postgame news conference that Dell had suffered a “significant” knee injury. The second-year receiver will remain overnight at a Kansas City area hospital as they assess the injury.
NBC’s Kathryn Tappen reports that Dell was taken to University of Kansas Hospital. Further, Dell’s leg was placed in a vacuum splint, which is used when there is concern for “a fracture or severe instability.”
Dell was quickly ruled out after he had to be carted off the field with a severe knee injury, which was the result of some friendly fire in the end zone. While he held on for the touchdown, Dell’s leg was caught underneath second-year receiver, Jared Wayne.
The reactions of the Texans’ players appeared to tell the story here, with many of them looking clearly shaken.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud was perhaps the most emotional Texans’ player on the field, visibly upset that his fellow 2023 draftee appears to, once again, have a long road to recovery ahead of him.
It marks the second consecutive season where Dell suffered an injury as a result of the friendly fire. In 2023, his season was ended with a fractured fibula after being caught in a pile around the goal line.
Texans WR depth chart
With Dell and John Metchie III out and Diggs done for the season, the Texans are quickly running out of healthy receivers. Here’s a look at the team’s depth chart of uninjured options right now:
Tank Dell stats
Dell was in the midst of one of his better games of the season before the injury, hauling in 6-of-7 targets for 98 yards and a touchdown. He appeared primed to go over the 100-yard mark for just the second time this season before being forced out of action.
(This story has been updated.)