Broken leg ends Dell’s season

Rookie wide receiver fractures fibula while blocking on TD run by Pierce

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud paused for a few seconds as he searched for the right words when asked about teammate and friend Tank Dell.

Dell suffered a fractured fibula in the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Broncos. The injury happened on an ordinary play.

While blocking on a 3yard touchdown run by Dameon Pierce, Dell had a pile of defenders fell onto the back of his leg. He stayed on the ground for some time. The cheering stopped at a dead-silent NRG Stadium.

The rookie receiver, whom Stroud met at the NFL combine and became quick friends with before they were drafted together, was starting to become a league star. A source familiar with his injury said Dell will miss the remainder of the season.

“I’m at a loss of words,” Stroud said, his tone hushed. “I honestly don’t know what to say.”

Wide receiver Nico Collins, who was blocking on the play, said he saw Dell yelling on the ground and knew it was bad. Tight end Brevin Jordan heard it, too.

Stroud gathered his teammates in a huddle and led them in prayer. They prayed Dell would get through this injury.

“It was tough losing a guy like that,” Jordan said.

Dell had meant so much to this Texans team. The 5-8, 165-pound receiver was second in receiving yards (709), second in receptions (47) and first in receiving touchdowns (seven). He was well on his way to a 1,000-yard season in his first year.

Having watched each other’s film in college, Stroud and Dell respected each other’s games before the combine. Stroud told Dell he would love to play with him one day, and that wish came to fruition in April.

The Texans drafted Stroud second overall and Dell 69th overall in the third round. Their friendship grew deeper, and they were seen together at events off the field. When Stroud took the first freethrow shot at a Rockets game last month, Dell was right there with him celebrating.

They aren’t just friends. They consider themselves brothers.

“Playing football is tough,” Stroud said. “We put our bodies on the line, time and time again, so to see that happen is cold. I’ve got to be there for him.

“More than football, Tank is a person. It’s tough. I’m hurt. I can’t sugarcoat it.”

Stroud said it felt similar to when rookie center Jarrett Patterson was carted off in Week 8 against the Panthers.

Without Dell, the Texans managed to beat the Broncos 22-17, but it wasn’t easy. They were missing one of their best deep-play threats and most clutch players. In Week 9 against the Buccaneers, Dell had the gamewinning touchdown catch in the final seconds.

So Stroud leaned heavily on Collins Sunday against the Broncos. Collins had nine catches for a career-high 191 yards and a touchdown. Jordan, who finished with 64 receiving yards, was the only other player with more than 15 receiving yards.

It’s going to be incumbent upon those players and others to step up.

“We know how much he meant to this group, but it can’t stop us,” Collins said. “He’s going to attack this rehab and get better. We’ve got to keep going and do it for him.”

By Jonathan M. Alexander STAFF WRITER