Emotional moment CJ Stroud is lost for words talking about Tank Dell after horror injury against the Chiefs
Texans quarterback CJ Stroud had to pull himself together when asked about Tank Dell’s scary injury in their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The pair connected for a 30-yard touchdown just before Dell collided with teammate Jared Wayne, who accidentally dove toward him and collided with his knee.
The wide receiver immediately held his knee as medical staff rushed the field, eventually dragging Dell off the field and taking him to the University of Kansas Medical Center. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans later told reporters that Dell would stay in the hospital overnight with a “significant” knee injury.
After Houston lost the game 27-19 at Arrowhead, Stroud was overcome with emotion at the post-game press conference.
‘All you can do is really pray. At the end of the day, God still gets the credit,” he opened. “No matter what happens to me, I will be here by the grace of Jesus. The grace of who he is in my life and Tank’s life.”
‘For everything, no matter how it goes, left or right, up or down, I must always praise my lord and savior. It’s not easy, but then I try to use it as motivation.’
CJ Stroud was overcome with emotion as he spoke about Tank Dell’s horrific knee injury
Stroud immediately broke down in tears after his teammate was carted off early in the third quarter. This would be the second straight season in which Dell’s campaign ended abruptly with injury.
Dell finished his 2023 rookie season with 709 yards and seven touchdowns for the Texans.
But his year was cut short after he suffered a broken leg in a game against the Denver Broncos in early December.
His sophomore season is likely over with 45 receptions for 569 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games. The Texans are 9-6 atop the AFC South with games remaining against Baltimore and Tennessee.
Stroud finished the game with 23 completions in 39 attempts for 244 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 23 yards in two carries.
After the game, he said he was struggling to continue playing as he thanked his teammates for lifting him up after Dell’s injury.
“It’s not easy to just let it go, especially as my best friend,” Stroud said. “It’s not easy to move on and just keep playing, but I’m trying to do the best I can.”
‘My teammates helped me up. I appreciate these guys talking to me because I was going through it. So I appreciate them just being there for me.”