CJ Stroud is left in tears as Texans' Tank Dell suffers serious knee injury before being carted off

  • Tank Dell also suffered a season-ending injury leg injury last season 

Texans quarterback CJ Stroud was left in tears on Saturday as his teammate Tank Dell appeared to suffer a serious knee injury.

The pair connected for a 30-yard touchdown just before Dell collided with teammate Jared Wayne, who accidentally dove towards him and collided with his knee.

Dell immediately held his knee as medical staff rushed onto the field, eventually carting Dell off of the field and taking him to the University of Kansas Medical Center. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans later told reporters that Dell would be staying overnight at the hospital with a 'significant' knee injury. 

During the game, Stroud became extremely emotional at seeing Dell get injured, as Houston running back Joe Mixon consoled the passer.

Dell's teammates also gathered near him to pray before he was taken off of the field.

He was unsurprisingly ruled out for the remainder of the game.

CJ Stroud was left in tears as his teammate Tank Dell suffered a knee injury on Saturday

CJ Stroud was left in tears as his teammate Tank Dell suffered a knee injury on Saturday

Dell was immediately seen writhing in pain after catching a long touchdown from Stroud

Dell was immediately seen writhing in pain after catching a long touchdown from Stroud

Dell was injured when his teammate Jared Wayne accidentally collided with his knee

Dell was injured when his teammate Jared Wayne accidentally collided with his knee

It was later reported on NBC's broadcast that his left leg was stabilized in a vacuum splint, which - according to the National Library of Medicine - is used in 'emergency' situations. 

It will likely be the second-straight year that Dell has suffered a season-ending injury, as he broke his fibula last year in Week 13.

Fans and media were quick to offer prayers for Dell, including former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III.

ESPN's Dan Orlovsky also offered his best wishes, as did FOX Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

David J. Chao, the former team doctor of the Chargers, claimed on X that Dell had suffered 'at least' an MCL injury, with a dislocation, ACL tear and tibial plateau fracture possible as well.

Sports medicine doctor Brian Sutterer also said that Dell had seemingly suffered a fracture dislocation.

Dell's face was covered with a towel as he was stretchered off of the field in Kansas City

Dell's face was covered with a towel as he was stretchered off of the field in Kansas City

Footage from FOX 26 Houston's Will Kunkel later showed Dell being taken to the hospital. 

Following his broken fibula last year, Dell managed to get healthy for Week 1 of this season and had appeared in all 15 Texans games this season. 

And he had one of his best games of the season on Saturday before getting hurt, as he finished with six catches for 98 yards and a score. 

Dell was a third-round pick out of the University of Houston in 2023.