Texans HC DeMeco Ryans delivers crucial injury update on two of C.J. Stroud’s key teammates

C.J. Stroud is one of the latest rising stars to emerge in the NFL, and this upcoming season, he’s aiming to make a major statement. To do so, his head coach DeMeco Ryans will need to equip him with all the tools necessary for the Houston Texans to become legitimate contenders in the league.

Both Jimmie Ward and Tank Dell suffered serious injuries towards the end of the last regular season, with the wide receiver’s situation being the more concerning of the two. As for the safety, Coach Ryans expressed optimism about his recovery and his potential availability starting Week 1.

“Jimmie’s doing fine, Jimmie’s on the road to recovery. He’s out of his boot now, he’s starting to get back to running a little bit,” the head coach said, via Aaron Wilson of KPRC.

A serious foot injury suffered by the former 49ers player in Week 16 forced him to miss the remainder of the season. After surgery, everything seems to indicate, according to Ryans‘ comments, that he will be ready to play for the upcoming season.

Jimmie Ward #20 of the Houston Texans is carted off the field after sustaining an injury in the second quarter of a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Tank Dell’s current situation

Back in December, the NFL world was shaken after witnessing one of the most shocking injuries in recent memory. Tank Dell, the Texans’ star wide receiver, suffered a gruesome, season-ending left knee injury in an unfortunate play, which left everyone around him deeply concerned.

While it’s well known that his recovery will be a long-term process due to having torn his ACL, MCL, LCL, and also dislocated his kneecap, head coach DeMeco Ryans stated that Dell’s spirit remains positive and there’s no need to rush his timeline.

“I talk to Tank all the time. Tank is doing great, he’s in good spirits, he’s on the road to recovery,” Texans HC DeMeco Ryans said Monday at River Oaks Country Club in Houston.

He also added: “He’ll be back when it’s time for Tank to be back. There’s nothing to rush. There’s no set timeline or ‘we need him back by a certain date.’ We need Tank back when Tank is ready to be Tank and that’s good enough for me.”