Season-ending injury to second-year WR exacerbates Texans’ problems

The Houston Texans in all probability will not vie for a Tremendous Bowl after dropping one other key weapon.

In Saturday’s 27-19 street loss to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Texans second-year broad receiver Tank Dell collided with wideout Jared Wayne whereas catching a 30-yard landing within the third quarter.

In keeping with Professional Soccer Discuss’s Josh Alper, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans mentioned Monday that Dell tore his ACL and dislocated his kneecap on the play. Given the severity of the harm, it would not be stunning if he missed a few of subsequent season. 

It is one other blow for the Texans, who’re already skinny at WR. In a Week 8 win over the Indianapolis Colts, WR Stefon Diggs — a four-time Professional Bowler — tore his ACL.  

“You possibly can’t change a Tank Dell,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik mentioned Monday, through ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime. “You possibly can’t change a Stefon Diggs … Tank does a bunch of issues that make him particular. And he confirmed that on Saturday.”

In opposition to Ok.C., Dell logged six receptions for 98 yards and one landing catch. In 14 video games, he recorded 51 receptions for 667 yards and three TD catches. 

Exterior of star WR Nico Collins — who leads the group in receiving yards (909 in 10 video games) — Houston lacks dynamic wideouts. WRs John Metchie III, Robert Woods and Xavier Hutchinson have mixed for 416 receiving yards via 16 weeks.

This compounds Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud’s issues. In keeping with Professional Soccer Reference, the second-year passer has been pressured on 26% of his dropbacks, the third-highest proportion within the league.

To take stress off Stroud, the Texans ought to lean closely on working again Joe Mixon, who has rushed for 967 yards and 11 TDs on 231 carries in 12 video games. Nonetheless, their offense may develop into one-dimensional. 

Even when Dell was wholesome, it would not be stunning if Houston was eradicated in its first playoff sport. The Texans have captured the AFC South however misplaced 4 of their previous seven video games. 

Houston (9-6) may maintain dropping momentum when it hosts the Baltimore Ravens (10-5) at 4:30 p.m. ET on Christmas Day. As of Monday, ESPN Wager lists the Texans as a 5.5-point underdog.