HOUSTON — The Houston Texans improved to 7-5 on Sunday by holding off the Denver Broncos at NRG Stadium, but with the win came one big loss – rookie wide receiver Tank Dell.
Dell was carted off the field after getting rolled up on at the end of a 3-yard Dameon Pierce touchdown run in the first quarter. A day after the game, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans gave an update on the rookie phenom from the University of Houston.
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He said Dell underwent successful surgery on Monday and will be out for the rest of the season.
“Our prayers are with Tank. Our thoughts are with him,” Ryans said. “He’s been such an inspiration for our team – just an incredible young man. Happy for the season he has had as a rookie and the impact that he has as a person, as a player for our organization. Expect to get him back before next offseason program.”
Dell has been a force on offense for Houston this season, catching 47 passes for 709 yards and seven touchdowns. His production won’t be easy to replace.
“Everybody around him just has to step up and just do their part — be their best in whatever role, whatever area we ask them to,” Ryans said. “We just ask them to be their best. It takes everyone. When you lose a guy who brings that emotional lift to your team, it’s going to take everyone to dig a little deeper and pick it up and do a little bit better.”
One of those players who picked up the slack Sunday was Nico Collins, who hauled in a career-high 191 yards on nine catches and a fourth-quarter touchdown.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud choked back tears when he spoke about Dell’s injury Sunday. The pair has become close friends, bonding from the moment both were drafted this April.
“I try to be positive about it, but it’s tough,” Stroud said. “I’m hurt. I can’t sugarcoat it.”
