There are concerns for luckless Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell, who’s been taken from the field after appearing to suffer a serious knee injury.
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Dell had just athletically caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud before landing awkwardly due to accidental contact from teammate Jared Wayne.
The 25-year-old was then shown clutching at his knee, with “distraught” teammates rushing to his side to show support. Stroud was seen in tears.
Dell was placed on a stretcher and taken away from the field in an ambulance. NBC reported that Dell was transported to the University of Kansas Medical Centre.
It’s the second nasty injury for Dell in two seasons.
Dell, a second-year wide receiver, had a strong start to his rookie season in 2023, notching 47 receptions for 709 yards and seven touchdowns. But his campaign was cut short after suffering a broken leg in Week 13.
During the off-season, he was also struck by a stray bullet.
As for how the Texans could replace Dell, Xavier Hutchinson looks the most likely candidate to see increased playing time in the short-term while John Metchie, who had a career game earlier in the year against Detroit with Nico Collins sidelined, could also step into a more prominent role.
Metchie was ruled out of Sunday’s game though after failing to practice all week due to a shoulder injury.
If Houston chooses to look externally, the Ravens recently cut Diontae Johnson after suspending the veteran receiver for refusing to enter the action during Baltimore’s Week 13 loss to Philadelphia.
Johnson is a savvy route runner and one of the best receivers in the league at getting open, although he was reduced to a depth role after being traded to Baltimore, which quickly saw the Pro Bowl receiver grow frustrated.
Johnson was highly productive in the early stages of the season while playing for Carolina, scoring three touchdowns in one four-game stretch with Andy Dalton under centre.
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