Tank Dell has returned to Houston after the Texans star spent Saturday night in the hospital in Kansas City with a gruesome knee injury suffered in the NFL game against the Chiefs.
On Sunday afternoon, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Dell was on his way home, but the prognosis on his injury was still unclear. On Saturday evening it was reported that Dell had dislocated his knee.
“Right now he’s flying back to Houston,” Ryans said. “We’ll still evaluate, see where he is, still meet with doctors to see what’s next for him, but it’s a significant knee injury, and our thoughts and prayers are with him.”
“We would very much like to thank the Kansas City medical team and the physicians there and their staff for being very accommodating,” Ryans added. “Because you helped with Tank, got him a room and got him sorted out. I really thought those guys did an incredible job.
“(Head athletic trainer) Rick Burkholder and his staff have done an incredible job and are very grateful to the entire Kansas City organization and their medical team.”
Ryans said he has been in contact with Dell but has not shared any information about their conversations.
Tank Dell was hospitalized with a slippery knee injury when the Texans lost to the Chiefs
Dell suffered a significant knee injury, and according to multiple reports, he dislocated his knee
Dell’s Texans teammate CJ Stroud appeared to fight back tears at the sight of the injury
Texans quarterback CJ Stroud appeared to fight back tears Saturday during the long delay as Dell was treated by medics.
Ryans said his team is still processing what happened, explaining: “We are talking about real people with real emotions, real feelings who are going through a difficult time right now.
“So just some thoughts and prayers with everyone involved in this situation.”
Dell had six catches for 98 yards and the touchdown when he was hurt with 11:40 left in the third quarter at Arrowhead Stadium.
It is the second year in a row that Dell has suffered an injury that will almost certainly end the season. He broke his fibula in Week 13 against the Broncos last season, just as the rookie broke out, and had surgery on it the next day.
In April, the 25-year-old was an innocent bystander at a private event in Sanford, Florida, when he suffered a minor gunshot wound. Dell spent a short time in the hospital, but was able to return to Houston shortly afterwards.
Dell, a third-round pick last year out of the University of Houston, ranks second on the team with 51 receptions for 667 yards and three touchdowns.
His injury is another blow to a team that was already missing Stefon Diggs after the four-time Pro Bowl receiver suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 8.
The Texans could move on to another wide receiver, while Dell will now be out of the market for a while
The Texans ultimately lost to the Chiefs 27-19 and will look to return to winning ways against the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day.
Ryans was coy about questions about the team signing a new wide receiver given Dell’s absence.
“It’s a little early for me in that regard,” he said. “But we’re always looking at what we can do to improve our team.”