Texans WR Stefon Diggs to miss rest of season with torn ACL
Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs will be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL in his right knee, sustained during Sunday’s game.
Head Coach DeMeco Ryans announced the news on Tuesday, describing Diggs' absence as a significant setback for the team.
“It is disheartening to receive this news,” Ryans stated. “He has been a vital contributor to our team, both on and off the field. His energy, leadership, and work ethic have been invaluable. We will need to compensate for his loss, and it will require many players to step up.”
The injury occurred in the third quarter of Houston's victory over the Colts, when Diggs, while running a route, suddenly halted and clutched his right knee before collapsing.
In his first season with the Texans following a major trade from the Bills, the 30-year-old Diggs recorded 47 receptions for 496 yards and three touchdowns over eight games.
“It’s a difficult situation,” quarterback C.J. Stroud remarked. “I find it hard to articulate my feelings about it. I am still trying to process what has happened, and it is challenging. While I want to maintain a positive outlook, it is tough to find many silver linings, and I genuinely feel for him.”
Diggs, a four-time Pro Bowler, has consistently surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in each of the last six seasons, with his 2020 performance standing out as he led the NFL with a personal best of 1,535 yards.
The recent injury adds to the challenges faced by a team already missing its top receiver, Nico Collins, who will be sidelined for at least one more game due to a hamstring injury that has placed him on injured reserve.
In Diggs' absence, the Texans will rely on Tank Dell to assume a more significant role in the offense during their upcoming game against the New York Jets. Dell's performance has declined this season following an impressive rookie year in which he recorded 709 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in just 11 games before suffering a leg injury.
This season, he has accumulated 229 receiving yards and scored his second touchdown in the recent victory that elevated the Texans to a 6-2 record, placing them at the top of the AFC South.
“Losing a star player means everyone must elevate their game,” Dell remarked. “Even those of us who are considered star players need to step up and contribute more. I believe we are all capable of rising to the occasion, and we will strive to make impactful plays.”
The Texans also have receivers Robert Woods, Xavier Hutchinson, and John Metchie available, though their contributions this season have been minimal, with the trio combining for only 146 receiving yards.
“Other leaders must emerge,” Stroud stated. “We need someone in that group to take charge now that both Diggs and Nico are unavailable.”
Stroud expressed his complete trust in the remaining receivers, confident that they will seize their chances.
“That means a lot,” Metchie commented. “It reflects the faith and belief my teammates have in me based on the effort they have witnessed. For me, it signifies that when I step onto the field, I will give my all for them, just as they do for me.”
SportsLigue