ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio provided an important update on Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell’s condition after he suffered a scary knee injury during the team’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday.
Dell, who was carted off the field following a violent collision, was later diagnosed with a dislocated kneecap.
Florio revealed the latest on Dell’s injury during Sunday Night Football, saying, “He suffered a dislocated kneecap. Stayed the night at the hospital in Missouri. Returned to Houston today, but they still haven’t made a decision on whether or not he’s going to have surgery on that injury.”
Florio also shared that while DeMeco Ryans was asked about adding a receiver ahead of the Texans' upcoming Christmas game, the Texans head coach indicated that it was “too early to even think about that.”
Dell’s injury occurred when he collided with teammate Jared Wayne and Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie after securing a touchdown in the third quarter.
The 25-year-old receiver, who had been a standout performer for the Texans this season, had caught six passes for 98 yards and a touchdown in the game before the injury.
As for Dell's immediate future, Ryans acknowledged that surgery could be an option, though no procedure has been confirmed as of now. With the severity of the injury, Dell is expected to miss significant time, which could leave Houston without one of their top playmakers for the rest of the season.
“We’ll still be evaluating, see where he is, still meeting with doctors to see what’s next for him, but it is a significant knee injury, and our thoughts and prayers are with him,” Ryans said.
The injury comes at a challenging time for the Texans, who are already without wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who suffered a torn ACL earlier this season. Additionally, John Metchie missed Saturday’s game due to a shoulder injury.
With Dell’s status uncertain, Houston’s offense faces the possibility of losing another key player in the final stretch of the season.
