'That One Hurts a Lot': Houston Texans' Bobby Slowik Shares Thoughts on Tank Dell Injury

Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik reflects on the season-ending injury to rookie wide receiver Tank Dell.

HOUSTON — Injuries have been a significant theme for the Houston Texans throughout the 2023 season. Center Scott Quessenberry was the first player to go down during training camp following an ACL and MCL injury, and the Texans have lost several players since. 

Houston's most recent loss came during its 22-17 victory over the Denver Broncos Sunday afternoon. Rookie wide receiver Tank Dell exited the Week 13 match with a broken fibula, which required season-ending surgery Monday morning.

Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik described Dell's injury as "gut-wrenching." And when it came to the play that led to the injury, Slowik said it was about having Dell on the field as one of his best players "involved in the gameplan."

Trainers move an injured Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell to the cart as he injured himself on a touchdown play against the Denver Broncos at NRG Stadium / © Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

"That one hurts a lot," Slowik said. "Not as a football player, it has nothing to do with football. Just as a person, as an individual, he’s a really special kid, and it’s been a joy to have him around. It’s been a joy to have him just be part of what we’ve done this year.

"That particular play – that’s one where he’s the furthest receiver out on the backside of a run, and a hole showed, and D.P. [Dameon Pierce] hit it. But yeah, it hurts."

Dell went down during the final seconds of the first quarter. He helped the Texans create a hole for running back Dameon Pierce, who scored a three-yard touchdown. Unfortunately, Dell's contributions led to the leg injury.

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Dell has played a prominent role in the Texans' success. After the Texans made the former University of Houston prospect a third-round pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, Dell has established himself as one of the best young wideouts in the league.

Across 10 games, Dell has recorded 709 yards on 47 catches and seven touchdowns. The relationship between Dell and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has developed into one of the top chemistries on and off the field.