Houston's offensive tackle was one of many emotional players after Saturday's scary injury.
The Houston Texans sideline and subsequent postgame locker room was littered with emotional players Saturday afternoon after the gruesome dislocated kneecap suffered by wide receiver Tank Dell.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud was filmed crying on the sidelines in Kansas City after Dell's season-ending knee injury in the third quarter. Fellow wideout Xavier Hutchinson noted postgame the team's wide receiver room will be without its "light" with Dell now sidelined. Texans offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil took a wider view, considering Dell's injury alongside the season-ending blows to star wide receiver Stefon Diggs and standout defensive back Jalen Pitre.
"I feel like we're always in this position, losing one of our best guys," Tunsil told KPRC 2's
Aaron Wilson postgame after the 27-19 loss to the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. "I hope we're not cursed, but that's what it feels like. You got to keep your head up."
I suspect Tunsil will have his faith in Houston's Super Bowl hopes restored by the time the Texans host Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas. Though for fans outside the Texans' facility, it's fair to acknowledge the fading dream of playoff football through January and into December.
Houston's offense is more middling than impressive, with Diggs' injury, a shaky offensive line and questionable play-calling limiting an attack brimming with potential when healthy. The Texans are the AFC South champion for the second straight year this season. They also will very likely have just one home game before being forced to win multiple games in the cold in some combination of Kansas City, Buffalo and Pittsburgh. Pair Stroud with this dynamic defense, and Houston can still win any given playoff game. But stringing together multiple postseason victories now feels like a long shot, especially after the exits of Diggs and Dell.
Stroud, Tunsil and Co. have a short turnaround to regroup following Saturday's loss in Kansas City. The Texans host the Ravens in a Christmas Day tilt at NRG Stadium on Wednesday, with kickoff slated for 3:30 p.m. CT.
