Tank Dell having his leg looked at by trainers.Tank Dell (Photo by Jason Hanna/Getty Images)
Tank Dell’s gruesome season-ending knee injury is even worse than initially reported.

The Houston Texans’ star wide receiver suffered a knee injury after catching a touchdown pass from CJ Stroud on Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs. It was subsequently confirmed that Tank Dell suffered a torn ACL and dislocated kneecap.

Unfortunately, Dell’s knee suffered even more damage on top of that. Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 reports that Dell also tore his MCL and LCL with damage to the meniscus. Wilson added that Dell will require multiple surgeries on his knee.

Tank Dell’s season-ending injury comes a year after his superb rookie year was also cut short with a leg fracture. And earlier this season, Texans All-Pro wideout Stefon Diggs suffered an ACL tear that abruptly ended his campaign.

Dell’s 2024 season ends with 51 receptions for 667 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games. A year earlier, he caught 47 passes for 709 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games, helping Houston to its first AFC South division crown in four years.

Texans Need Others To Step Up Without Tank Dell

Losing Diggs and Dell in a matter of weeks puts a giant dent in Houston’s playoff hopes, but not all is lost. They still have WR1 Nico Collins, star running back Joe Mixon and veteran tight end Dalton Schultz.

If these players can perform up to their usual standards, and if the defense can regain its championship-caliber form, the Texans will still be a tough out come January.