Texans’ Tank Dell receives support from Ochocinco following knee dislocation and ACL tear: ‘I’ll be back’

HOUSTON – Injured Texans wide receiver Tank Dell has support throughout the organization from his teammates, coaches and fans.

Now, Dell, who suffered a knee injury that includes a dislocation of his entire knee, a torn anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament and other damage that will be surgically repaired, has a warm gesture from retired NFL wide receiver and media personality Chad Ochocinco.

Ochocinco posted a photograph of McDonald’s, his favorite restaurant, with a message below the golden arches: ‘Speedy recovery Tank,” with a caption of “Yo Tank Dell we are supporting you all the way. From my family over here at the Golden Arches to yours, speedy recovery.”

Dell and Ochocinco posted their exchange on social media:

“My prayers are with you young boul, keep ya head. ‘Ocho’ Ochocinco wrote.

“I’ll be back,” Dell wrote. “Appreciate you Ocho.”

“Salute,” Ochocinco replied. “Don’t forget ya McDonalds, you’ll be back in no time.”

And Dell wrote back: “Number 1 extra cheese coke no ice!!”

• ‘Tough news’ for Texans: Tank Dell out for year with dislocated knee, torn ACL, Jimmie Ward out for year, foot surgery
• A crushing blow for Texans: Tank Dell suffers ‘significant’ knee injury, a dislocated knee cap, team upset, emotional

It’s a devastating medical setback for Dell, who traveled back to Houston on Sunday after being treated and released from the University of Kansas Medical Center trauma unit as coach DeMeco Ryans reiterated that it was a severe injury sustained by the former University of Houston standout while catching a touchdown Saturday against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

Ryans declined to elaborate on whether Dell will be able to play football next season.

‘Right now, the focus is just on Tank, just going through this process, getting the surgery, getting recovered, we’ll deal with that when it comes,” Ryans said. “I don’t think it’s the time right now to discuss what’s going to happen next season with Tank, just allow him to get this time to heal up and recover.”

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