Dell’s entire left leg was stabilized in an air cast and he was placed on a stretcher before being carried off the field. He was then transported by ambulance to the University of Kansas Medical Center, where he will remain overnight.

Although the TD catch gave Houston a chance to tie the game, Dell’s injury was an emotional scene for the Texans.

Stroud, who was part of the Texans’ 2023 draft class along with Dell, was visibly upset by the injury, refrained from immediately celebrating his TD throw and was overcome with emotion as he and his teammates huddled around Dell.

“That’s my best friend,” Stroud said after the game. “I went through it.”

Dell led the Texans in receiving on Saturday with six catches for 98 yards and a touchdown. It was the kind of performance that showed the 25-year-old returning to form just over a year after breaking his leg that ended his impressive rookie season.

“You’ve seen what he means to our entire team. It hurt. It hurt to see him go down like that,” Ryans said. “He had a fantastic game and played really well for us. He was in a fantastic situation. We just want to keep him in our thoughts and prayers right now.”

Houston’s WR corps has struggled with injuries all season, with Nico Collins missing multiple games with a hamstring injury and Stefon Diggs suffering a season-ending ACL tear in Week 8.

The Texans still managed to clinch their second straight AFC South title after last week’s win over the Miami Dolphins, but Dell’s injury on Saturday will likely be a major blow to a team heading into the playoffs.