Photo credit: abcnews.go.com
Texans’ Tank Dell Likely Out for Season After Injury
HOUSTON — The Houston Texans are facing a challenging situation as dynamic wide receiver Tank Dell is set to miss the remainder of the regular season and playoffs due to a serious injury.
Dell suffered a “significant” knee injury during a 30-yard touchdown reception in the Texans’ recent loss to Kansas City. Although official word from the team has not confirmed his season-ending status, his hospitalization after the injury suggests a challenging recovery ahead.
On Sunday, coach DeMeco Ryans provided an update, stating that Dell had been discharged from the hospital and was returning to Houston for further evaluation to determine his next steps.
This setback marks a frustrating continuation for Dell, who already endured a fractured fibula last season in Week 13 against the Denver Broncos, which required surgery.
“It’s tough to see guys get injured; they put in so much effort and risk their health to play this game,” Ryans remarked. “It transcends football—these are real people with real struggles, and our thoughts are with them.”
The Texans, who have already clinched the AFC South, now face the urgent task of regrouping before their upcoming Christmas Day matchup against the Ravens. Dell’s injury compounds their difficulties, as they have already lost Stefon Diggs to a season-ending knee injury sustained during Week 8.
With 51 receptions for 667 yards and three touchdowns, Dell is a crucial contributor to the Texans’ offense, trailing only Nico Collins, who has accumulated 909 yards receiving and six touchdowns this season.
The Texans’ receiving corps is now considerably weakened, with tight end Dalton Schultz contributing 482 yards and two touchdowns, and running back Joe Mixon adding 291 yards and one touchdown through the air.
John Metchie, who has recorded just 182 yards this season, may potentially step in for Diggs, although his availability is uncertain after missing the last game due to a shoulder injury.
“There’s a possibility John could return,” Ryans commented. “He’s making progress, so we’ll monitor his status leading up to Wednesday.”
Other potential replacements include veteran receiver Robert Woods, who has only 143 receiving yards this season, and rookie Xavier Hutchinson, who has made nine receptions.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud, a close friend of Dell’s, expressed his dismay post-game following the injury, acknowledging the emotional toll it takes on the team. He conveyed the difficulty of moving forward after such setbacks.
“It’s hard to put on a brave face when you see your brother go down like that,” Stroud said. “We need to focus on recovery and prepare for a significant challenge against the Ravens. They are a strong team, and this will have a playoff-like atmosphere.”
In Saturday’s matchup, Stroud effectively distributed the ball, throwing to six different receivers. Dell led with six receptions for 98 yards, while Collins added seven receptions for 60 yards, facing frequent double-teams.
With Dell absent from the lineup, defenses are likely to intensify their efforts to contain Collins, placing added pressure on Stroud to leverage all options at his disposal during the Ravens game.
The Texans have recently struggled in converting red zone opportunities, successfully scoring on only 1 of 3 occasions against Kansas City, continuing a trend from previous games against the Jaguars and Titans.
“We had chances, but it boils down to guys being where they need to be,” Ryans stated. “We need to capitalize on our opportunities and finish those plays.”
Linebacker Christian Harris returned to the field and made seven tackles and a sack against the Chiefs, tying the franchise record for total sacks in a season.
Placekicker Ka’imi Fairbairn displayed strong performance this season while struggling with shorter kicks, missing an extra point and two attempts from under 30 yards.
Samuel Jimmie Ward’s foot injury may keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season, alongside guard Shaq Mason, who sustained a knee injury against the Chiefs.
Dell’s touchdown marked the tenth of his career, a milestone that ties him with Hall of Famer Andre Johnson for the most touchdown receptions by a Texans player in their first two seasons.
Looking ahead, the Texans aim for their first victory over the Ravens since 2014, as they have suffered five consecutive defeats to Baltimore, including a playoff loss last season.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Source
abcnews.go.com