CJ Stroud’s mom gets emotional as Texans QB addresses Tank Dell’s devastating season-ending injury
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud's mother, Kim Stroud, offered a poignant digital embrace as her son grappled with his teammate's devastating injury. Her emoji response on X on Monday reflected the deep emotional impact of the moment.
Tank Dell's injury occurred during a spectacular 30-yard touchdown catch in Saturday's 27-19 loss at the Kansas City Chiefs. The second-year receiver had amassed six catches for 98 yards before the collision with teammate Jared Wayne in the end zone.
He required immediate medical attention, with Dell being stretchered off the field in a covered medical cart. He spent two nights in a Kansas City hospital before returning to Houston on Monday.
"You know, to see your brother go down like that after just dealing with a season injury last year ... I just be there for him," Stroud said after the game. "I think everybody kind of seeing how hard I took it, but I think that was good."
Dell's injury halts an impressive sophomore season in which he recorded 51 receptions for 667 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games. That followed his rookie season of 47 catches for 709 yards and seven scores in 11 games.
C.J. Stroud finding strength through adversity
C.J. Stroud drew inspiration from similar comeback stories in the NFL.
"There's been plenty of players who have had season injuries back to back," he said. "My agent this morning was talking about how Derwin James went through the same thing and Jaycee Horn as well, and they're playing good ball now."
The quarterback stressed the importance of giving Dell space to heal.
"Let him spend this time with his family and try to give him a little bit of room just to breathe and take in what's really going on and mentally just get sane," Stroud said.
Houston coach DeMeco Ryans later detailed the extent of Dell's injury.
"He dislocated the knee," Ryans said. "He tore the ACL and other things there he'll have to get repaired."
He also praised the Kansas City medical team for doing an "unbelievable job" caring for Dell.
The injury deals another blow to the AFC South-leading Texans (9-6), who lost four-time Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs to a season-ending knee injury in Week 8. Houston now faces the Baltimore Ravens (10-5) on Christmas Day as it continues its playoff push.