Texans' Tank Dell Undergoes 2nd Knee Surgery on Severe Injury Suffered in 2024

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell took another step in his recovery process after suffering a significant knee injury in December.

ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime noted Dell posted on his Instagram Story that he underwent surgery to repair his torn ACL on Wednesday. It was his second surgery on the knee, as he underwent another one shortly after the setback to repair the other ligaments that were damaged.

He suffered multiple torn ligaments and a dislocated kneecap while catching a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in the December loss.

Bien-Aime noted Dell is expected to miss much of the 2025 campaign as he recovers, although the door is still open for a return ahead of the stretch run.

The 2023 third-round pick has been in the league for just two years but already suffered a season-ending broken leg as a rookie and the season-ending knee injury in his second campaign. He was also shot at an event in April 2024 but was quickly released from the hospital with minor injuries in the aftermath.

When healthy, Dell has been productive with a combined 98 catches for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns in 25 career games.

He, Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs were expected to be one of the best wide receiver groups in the league last season, but injuries largely prevented that. In addition to Dell's setback, Diggs was limited to just eight games because of a torn ACL.

Houston still reached the AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs but lost to the Chiefs without two of their top weapons.

Diggs is now a free agent this offseason, which means it might only be Collins from that trio suiting up at the start of the 2025 season. The possibility that Diggs could sign elsewhere also places more emphasis on the importance of Dell recovering in time to return to the field ahead of the stretch run next season.

If he does, he and Collins can still be a dynamic one-two punch in the aerial attack.