One play won't define a season, but it will define how the Houston Texans' offense carries forward in 2024.

Wide receiver Tank Dell was carted off with a dislocated kneecap after hauling in a 30-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud in the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs and needed immediate medical attention. Dell was taken to University of Kansas Hospital, a Level 1 trauma center about 12 miles from Arrowhead Stadium.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Dell would remain at the hospital overnight for further evaluation.

"All our thoughts and prayers are with Tank right now," Ryans said. "You guys can see what he means to our entire team."

Dell, who led the team with six catches for 98 yards, had broken out for the offense desperately to keep the Texans within reach of stopping a resurgent Kansas City offense, headlined by a healthy Patrick Mahomes. Once he left, Houston could only muster up 3 total points en route to a 27-19 loss.

Here's everything to know immediately after Saturday's gut-punch loss that could affect the outcome of the regular season moving forward.

Dell left the game. It's one thing to lose a talented receiver who's on fire, but Houston's receiving room was banged up coming into the game. Cade Stover and John Metchie III were ruled out before the team departed for Arrowhead Stadium. Stefon Diggs is out for the year. Dalton Schultz and Nico Collins were trying to help, but the coverage was zip-tight at the intermediate part of the field.

Houston's inability to win vertically went out the door after Dell left. So did its chances of coming back.

Houston has a short three days off before returning to NRG Stadium to face the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day.