The Houston Texans will soon be heading to Missouri, and we can’t wait for the first divisional face-off. Arrowhead Stadium is going to turn into a complete war zone. With Super Bowl hopes on the line, CJ Stroud and Co. are all ready to bring their A-game against the Chiefs. As we wait for the game, there’s something that might interest you. The Texans have been rallying around each other after key injuries, but there’s an interesting take on how to show support for teammates. And it’s not all about the typical gestures.

So here’s the thing. When CJ Stroud and the team were preparing for the wild card game against the Chargers, they made a special gesture for injured WR Tank Dell. The young WR was on the sidelines supporting his team, and to show solidarity, the Houston squad wore Tank Dell shirts while warming up before the game. Later, when Stroud was asked about this heartwarming gesture, he had a surprising take. Stroud, in his trademark laid-back style, joked that the shirts remind him of funeral shirts. “I don’t like it, but, I mean, I like that, but it just reminds me of, like, the funeral shirts. And, you know, that’s kind of what we do back home. I’d rather be there for somebody than just wear a T-shirt.” That speaks about their bond as well. Stroud was in tears when Dell got injured.

Moreover, the QB himself started this trend. Over the past two years, Tank Dell and CJ Stroud have built a solid bond, both joining the Houston Texans in the same year. Now, CJ, who’s not exactly on board with the whole ‘wearing t-shirts in solidarity’ thing, was the one to kick off this idea in 2023. After Dell fractured his fibula in week 13 against the Broncos. Stroud decided to wear a Tank Dell shirt for warm-ups before the week 14 game against the Jets. (Guess that’s where the Texans got the idea from.)

Anyway, Dell might have loved it. The WR, who suffered a season-ending injury this year too, is all set to undergo surgery soon.

Tank Dell to undergo multiple surgeries after support from CJ Stroud and Co.

Tank Dell’s first two years in the NFL have been tough on the injury front. (It’s something most players face, but that doesn’t make it any easier.) In his rookie year, he fractured his fibula—a tough break. This year, things took another bad turn. During the Texans‘ Week 16 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Dell collided with his teammate Jared Wayne on a touchdown pass from CJ Stroud. (It was one of those plays that left you holding your breath.) Sadly, the young WR ended up with a season-ending knee injury.

 Now, Dell is gearing up for multiple surgeries to repair his knee, with the first one scheduled for Wednesday. Dell’s injury is similar to Browns RB Nick Chubb‘s. The Browns player also suffered a similar injury last season. Former NFL team physician and injury analyst Dr. David Chao says that Dell’s injury is concerning. One that could be “career-threatening.”

“This is a much more difficult recovery than just an ACL, it’s a knee dislocation with three of four major ligaments torn and it’s a long road back,” said Chao. Now, that’s not a pleasant thing to hear. “Unfortunately, it has to be considered career-threatening, but we all hope not career-ending. A typical recovery timetable, it would be great if he could participate at some point next season, but it’s far from guaranteed he will play at any point next season,” added Chao.

Chubb, who had a similar situation, did play this season. Dell’s injury was painful to watch. Even his teammates were in tears as they carted him off the field. Fans would only hope that he recovers well after the surgery and return to the gridiron in the next season.