Houston Texans wideout Tank Dell will have surgery to repair a dislocated kneecap, torn ACL and other damage, coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed Monday.
Dell sustained the injury to his left leg while catching a 30-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter of Saturday’s 27-19 loss to the Chiefs in Kansas City.
Dell, 25, remained hospitalized on Saturday and Sunday before returning to Houston on Monday.
“We’re still meeting with doctors to see what’s next for him, but it is a significant knee injury,” Ryans said. “Our thoughts and prayers are definitely with Tank at this time.”
As Dell made a diving catch of a C.J. Stroud pass, fellow receiver Jared Wayne tumbled into Dell as both went to the ground. Dell maintained possession of the ball but had to be carted off the field with his leg immobilized in a brace.
The touchdown catch, with 11:40 remaining in the third quarter, brought the Texans to within 17-16 after the extra point failed. Houston (9-6) scored just three points the rest of the way.
Dell finished his second season with 51 catches for 667 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games (10 starts). He had 47 receptions for 709 yards and seven scores in 11 games (eight starts) as a rookie in 2023.
Ryans also announced that safety Jimmie Ward is out for the year with a mid-foot sprain that will require surgery. Ward left the game on a cart in the first half.
Ward, 33, had 48 tackles and two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, in 10 starts this season. He has 549 tackles, 10 picks and 51 passes defensed in 126 games (99 starts) with the San Francisco 49ers (2014-22) and Texans.
Houston, which already has clinched the AFC South division title, hosts the Baltimore Ravens (10-5) on Christmas Day.
