(Video) Texans WR Tank Dell heroically scores a touchdown but succumbs to a season-ending knee injury
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell proved that he is willing to suffer a broken knee in order to score a touchdown for his team.
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Texans WR Tank Dell keeps hold of the touchdown ball even after dislocating his knee (Image via ESPN/X)
Tank Dell has had horrible luck with injuries. The second-year receiver suffered a bad knee injury while playing against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday.
In the third quarter, the Chiefs led the Houston Texans by seven points. Texans quarterback CJ Stroud snapped the ball on second and seven from his half and threw a lobbed pass aimed at Dell deep into the Chiefs’ end zone.
Two other players followed the trajectory of the pass alongside Dell. Texans WR Jared Wayne and Chiefs DB Trent McDuffie both lunged to catch the ball, but Dell was in a better position to secure a reception.
CJ Stroud connects with Tank Dell for a 30-yard touchdown
— NFL (@NFL) December 21, 2024
?: #HOUvsKC on NBC/Peacock
?: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/yqn1VFbpVU
Dell scored a touchdown, but when cameras zoomed in on the 25-year-old, he held his left knee and screamed in agonizing pain. Wayne signaled to the bench to send the medical team that rushed to the spot for an examination.
Texans teammates console a crying C.J. Stroud who was upset and praying over his close friend Tank Dell. pic.twitter.com/Hxdb0qoQs7
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) December 21, 2024
After a brief pause, an ambulance stopped near Dell. Medics strapped him tight to the gurney and subsequently took him away to the nearest hospital while players and supporters prayed.
What is the nature of Tank Dell’s injury?
The ambulance escorted Dell to the nearest hospital, where the doctors further examined him. They concluded it was a season-ending injury.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport revealed that Tank Dell dislocated the kneecap and might need surgery to repair the limb. He will no longer be available even if the Texans qualify for the playoffs.
#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.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 21, 2024
Dell’s injury is significant, as coach DeMeco Ryans said. Not clear how significant. pic.twitter.com/lSdNF7A4Dx
Meanwhile, the game continued, but the Texans players seemed preoccupied by Dell’s injury and failed to catch up with the Chiefs. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes connected with rookie receiver Xavier Worthy for a touchdown. Later in the fourth quarter, kicker Harrison Butker netted from 27 yards to increase the lead to eight points. The game ended in a 19-27 win for the Chiefs.
Xavier Worthy with the @Chiefs touchdown?
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) December 21, 2024
?: @NFL pic.twitter.com/fmVxY9bNAP
The Texans drafted Dell during the third round in 2023. He and Stroud formed an instant connection and led the team to the playoffs. However, Dell wasn’t part of it as he suffered a torn fibula while playing against the Denver Broncos in week 13.
#Texans WR Tank Dell, whose breakout performance this season has sparked his team’s offense, suffered a fractured fibula, source said. He’s headed for IR, as Houston loses one of its stars. pic.twitter.com/vATNSwRbAi
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 3, 2023
In April, Dell was at a local nightclub where he found himself in the middle of a gunfight. One of the bullets grazed him, leaving minor injuries. He appeared in every game in 2024, racking up 57 catches for 765 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Dell played five seasons in college for three different schools: Alabama A&M, Independence Community College, and finally Division 1 football at Houston Cougars.
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