Report: Texans' Tank Dell Tore MCL, LCL; Will Need Multiple Surgeries on Knee Injury

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters Monday that wide receiver Tank Dell suffered a dislocated knee cap and a torn ACL in his left knee last Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Now comes word that Dell also suffered a torn LCL and MCL as well as damage to the meniscus in his left knee, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, who added that the second-year pro will have multiple surgeries to address the issues.

Dell suffered the knee injury while making a 30-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter of the Texans' 27-19 road loss to the Chiefs. Teammate Jared Wayne accidentally dove into Dell's left leg while diving for the same ball in the back of the end zone.

It was a horrible and devastating injury that left multiple players, including Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, visibly emotional. Stroud spoke about being present and praying for his best friend during the postgame press conference.

Dell suffered a fractured fibula the year before after he got rolled up on while delivering a block on running back Dameon Pierce's three-yard touchdown run during a 22-17 home win over the Denver Broncos on Dec. 3, 2023. It ended a promising and exciting season for a fifth-round pick that has thrived in Houston. He caught 47 passes for 709 yards and seven touchdowns in just 11 games for last year's AFC South champions.

Dell came all the way back from that injury and has been an important piece in this year's offense, especially with wideout Nico Collins landing on injured reserve (hamstring) and Stefon Diggs suffered a season-ending torn ACL midway through the 2024 campaign.

Unfortunately, Dell's season is tragically over, and the focus now turns toward a hopeful and healthy return in 2025. For the year, he contributed 51 catches for 667 yards and three touchdowns for Houston, who won the AFC South for a second straight year.

In the meantime, Collins is the Texans' WR1, with tight end Dalton Schultz assuredly seeing more volume. Robert Woods, Xavier Hutchinson and John Metchie III round out the current wideout depth chart, and the team also just picked up Diontae Johnson off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens.