‘Encouraging and uplifting,’ how presence of injured wide receivers Tank Dell, Stefon Diggs fired up Texans in win

HOUSTON – As the Texans’ players headed onto the field to get ready for their playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers, they were wearing special shirts to honor injured teammate Tank Dell.

Dell suffered a devastating knee injury in December against the Kansas City Chiefs, dislocating his entire knee, tearing his anterior cruciate, medial collateral and lateral collateral ligaments and damaging his meniscus and is in the process of undergoing multiple surgeries to repair the damage.

Before the Texans’ dominant 32-12 AFC wild-card round win, the players wore the shirts, designed by Bruce Thompson of Dreamathon, with images of Dell on the front. Dell faces a long journey to recovery. He has posted several messages on social media with a heart emoji wrapped in a bandage, signifying his status.

Dell was at the game Saturday on crutches and joined by fellow injured wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who’s out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

And their presence provided inspiration for their teammates.

“It’s always special to have your brothers in there,” quarterback C.J. Stroud said after passing for 282 yards and one touchdown and rushing for 44 yards. “I’ve grown really close with Stef over this year. He texted me before the game and just gave me a whole bunch of motivation and said he was praying for me, and I appreciate that for real. I’ve been around Tank all the time, even now. It was good to see him back smiling, around with guys on the sideline, everybody saying what’s up to him.

“I think that was good for him and his spirit. Keep him in your prayers and keep uplifting him, because it’s a hard time for both of them right now. I hope they were smiling a little bit as we were playing. I think their careers are long, long from anything to being done. This is just another bump in the road, and they’re two of the best receivers I played with for real. They remind me of the guys I played with at Ohio State. I’m honored to have friends and brothers like that.”

Broken-play brilliance, timely scramble by C.J. Stroud spark Texans, beat Chargers: ‘Play of the game’

Sources: Texans’ Tank Dell tore medial collateral, lateral collateral, as well as ACL, dislocated knee, meniscus damage

Having Dell and Diggs as well as injured defensive back Jalen Pitre being at every practice and meeting despite being out for the season with a torn pectoral is significant to the AFC South champions who advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs with their big win over the Chargers.

“Yeah, seeing Tank and Stef there, it’s encouraging and uplifting for everybody on our team,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “We know how much both those guys meant to our team, the leaders they were in their own way, and how much energy they provide to our entire team. So, it’s great seeing them.

“I think it put smiles on everyone’s faces; understand who we’re doing it for. We’re doing it for our brothers. It was great to see them today. Would’ve loved to have them on the field, but just to know they’re here still supporting through all they’ve gone through, just continues to show our special our team is.”

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Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.