Additional analysis of Tank Dell‘s knee damage has not produced an encouraging replace. Along with the dislocated kneecap he suffered on Saturday, the second-year receiver is coping with a torn ACL.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans delivered the information Monday, as shared by NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport, confirming Dell will miss the rest of the 2024 season. A protracted rehab course of awaits, and remaining on the sidelines into the beginning of the 2025 marketing campaign wouldn’t come as a shock. In any case, Houston can be notably shorthanded at wideout transferring ahead.
Dell went down after a collision with Jared Wayne whereas scoring a landing through the Texans’ loss to the Chiefs. He was instantly taken to hospital and recognized with the dislocated kneecap. As Ryans famous on Monday, the ACL within the affected knee has been torn along with different harm. It was unclear at first if surgical procedure can be required, however clearly that’s now the case.
The Texans misplaced Stefon Diggs earlier this 12 months to an ACL tear of his personal, an damage which led to an elevated reliance on Dell and high wideout Nico Collins to compensate for his absence. Now, Collins is the lone remaining member of Houston’s lauded WR trio which entered the marketing campaign with excessive expectations. Within the wake of signing a long-term extension this offseason, Collins can be tasked with carrying the load within the passing recreation because the Texans put together for the postseason.
The likes of Robert Woods, John Metchie and Xavier Hutchinson are in place as choices (alongside Wayne) to fill bigger roles down the stretch and thru the playoffs. Houston has locked up the highest spot within the AFC South, however modifications in seeding might nonetheless happen relying on the crew’s closing two video games. Ryans stated on Sunday it remains to be seen if the Texans will pursue a late addition on the receiver spot.
Dell’s involvement within the passing recreation was inconsistent this season, one by which Houston’s offense as an entire has underwhelmed. Nonetheless, the 25-year-old managed to file 667 yards and three touchdowns on 51 catches in 2024. Two extra years stay on his rookie contract, however will probably be fairly a while earlier than Dell subsequent takes the sector.
