Texans' Tank Dell Carted Off Field After Knee Injury ... C.J. Stroud, Others Brought to Tears

Texans wide receiver Tank Dell had to be carted off the field Saturday ... after suffering a bad injury while catching a touchdown pass.

The Houston standout was playing in Arrowhead Stadium against the Kansas City Chiefs ... running a deep route into the endzone early in the second half of the game.

Quarterback C.J. Stroud threw a perfect pass to Dell, falling right into his arms ... but, his teammate Jared Wayne was right next to him and dove for the ball -- his body slamming full force into Dell's leg.

Earl Thomas Estranged Wife Charged ... Allegedly Defrauded Ex-NFLer Out Of Millions

Nina Thomas -- the estranged wife of Earl Thomas -- was hit with multiple criminal charges this week ... after prosecutors say she swindled the ex-Seattle Seahawks star out of millions of dollars.

Court documents, obtained by TMZ Sports, show feds allege Nina began her scheme to illegally take cash from her former lover in Sept. 2021 -- a short time after she filed for divorce from him in 2020.

Officials accuse Nina and another person -- whose name is redacted in the docs -- of taking money and property from Earl without his knowledge ... and transferring it into bank accounts under their control.

Taylor Swift Festive Red Coat at Chiefs Game ... Cheers on Travis in K.C.

Taylor Swift is feeling the holiday spirit ... dressing up in a bright red furry coat while arriving at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City to support her man.

The singer-songwriter pulled up to the Chiefs game against the Houston Texans just a little while ago ... stepping out of the customary golf cart looking like Mrs. Claus in the coat and black bucket hat.

She looks real warm in her ensemble ... good news since it's currently just 33 degrees in Kansas City -- and expected to get even chillier as the day goes on.

James Conner NFL Star & Cancer Survivor Sends Advice, Prayers To Moss

121624-james-conner-kal
SUPPORT IS KEY
TMZSports.com

James Conner -- an Arizona Cardinals superstar who's beaten cancer -- is offering up advice to Randy Moss as he faces his own battle with the disease ... telling TMZ Sports the Hall of Famer should make it a priority to lean on his loved ones.

Conner was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma back in 2015 when he was a college running back at the University of Pittsburgh ... but he ended up beating it, and he's since gone on to have a hell of an NFL career.

This week -- while he was out at a Raising Cane's bike giveaway charity event -- he told us he was praying for Moss ... while encouraging the ex-Minnesota Vikings receiver to stay positive.

Daniel Jones Gifts Ex-Giants Teammates Bottles Of Tequila ... Clase-y Move!!!

Even though Daniel Jones and the New York Giants broke up, he still has love for his old linemen -- as the team's former first-round draft pick still provided some holiday cheer to the big guys up front!!

ESPN's Jordan Raanan reported the current Vikings backup quarterback sent his former O-line limited-edition bottles of Clase Azul Tequila -- a super-nice gesture, especially considering he was essentially kicked to the curb in the Big Apple.

While it's unknown how much the 27-year-old dropped in total ... these spirits don't come cheap -- as some bottles have quite the hefty price tags. But the team did owe him $35.5 million this year, so it probably didn't affect the wallet too much!

Bow Wow Duped By Fake Travis Hunter Fiancée IG Comment ... You Got Centel'd!!!

122024_bow_wow-kal
MY ADVICE

Bow Wow learned a valuable lesson in social media on Thursday ... 'cause the rapper fell for a fake Instagram comment involving Travis Hunter's fiancée -- prompting him to give a passionate plea to the Heisman Trophy winner.

For those who don't live on the internet, there's a popular parody X account -- @TheNBACentel -- which pretends to give up-to-date information on all things hoop ... and usually, it's pretty funny stuff masked as actual news.

Several notable figures have fallen victim to the hi-jinks ... and Shad Moss was the latest to get duped after the infamous profile shared an edited snap of Hunter's partner, Leanna, putting a money emoji under Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards' picture -- a reference to the gold digger claims she's faced (and denied) in recent months.

Joe Burrow Presents For Linemen ... Sword-t Of A Sweet Gift!!!

A bunch of quarterbacks are getting their linemen gifts this week, but Joe Burrow's presents to his boys were simply a cut above the rest ... as he got them all swords!!

The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. reported on Thursday night that the Bengals signal-caller scored some "authentic Japanese Katana swords" for Cincinnati's big men -- and let each one pick out their own.

"They are all unique," Dehner Jr. reported. "Each sword comes with its own story, from certain towns or battles."

Beyoncé Xmas Halftime Show Texans Urging Fans To Rock Out With Your Cocktails Out!!!

NFL fans looking to Texas Hold some Beyoncé-themed cocktails during her halftime performance on Christmas Day are in luck ... TMZ Sports has learned Houston will be selling drinks with Yoncé flair in honor of her much-anticipated show.

Aramark Sports + Entertainment -- which has provided football fanatics with goodies at Texans games throughout this season -- tells us four specialty drinks paying homage to Beyoncé will be available for purchase at NRG Stadium during Houston's Dec. 25 tilt with the Ravens.

The first is called the "Texan Honey" -- and it's a mix of whiskey, lemon juice, honey syrup and ginger beer that will all come mixed in a souvenir cup.

Tyreek Hill Clarifies 'Time For Me To Go Coach' Comment ... 'Happy' In Miami!!!

121924_tyreek_hill_kal
JUST TWEETIN'
X/@schadjoe

Rest easy, Dolphins fans ... Tyreek Hill says he doesn't want to go anywhere anytime soon -- telling reporters his "Time for me to go coach" social media post wasn't what it seemed like.

The star wide receiver sent the Miami faithful into a panic Wednesday morning after sharing the ominous tweet ... which, if read a certain way, certainly sounded like he was hoping to get traded out of Florida.

Hill cleared the air at the team facility on Thursday ... explaining the actual message he was trying to convey in his post.

Bills' Dion Dawkins Plane Crashes In Star's Yard

UPDATE

12:28 PM PT -- Dion Dawkins ended up making his way to the Bills' facility on Thursday afternoon ... and he told reporters in attendance he was saddened by the tragedy -- and he's praying for the pilot's family.

Bills star Dion Dawkins missed Buffalo practice on Thursday ... after a small plane crashed in his yard.

Authorities in Aurora, N.Y. say the single-engine aircraft went down at around 11:22 AM -- after it had apparently experienced mechanical issues.

Law enforcement stated the plane was engulfed in flames after it landed on the ground just feet away from Dawkins' residence -- and one person tragically died.

Michael Penix Jr. Starting News Spoiled My Appetite ... No Costco Dog For Me

121924_michael_penix_jr-kal
celebratory dinner
Atlanta Falcons

Michael Penix Jr. went from buying in bulk to being the main guy in Atlanta ... with the quarterback revealing he found out he was getting the Falcons' starting gig while shopping at Costco.

The Washington product chatted with reporters a day after it was announced Kirk Cousins was getting benched ... and he painted a pretty vivid picture of what it was like when he got the call while buying groceries.

"As you can imagine, there were some nerves, there was some excitement," he said. "But I'm just super blessed to be in this position. Super blessed to be on this on this team for the opportunity."

Tom Brady Puppin' Iron

Tom Brady got in a swole sesh with his dawgs this week -- and we mean that literally ... with the seven-time Super Bowl champion taking his furry pals to the gym in Miami!!

The legendary quarterback and FOX Sports analyst was out and about in Florida ... with his four-legged friends in tow as he left a workout.

Speaking of legs, it's clear TB12 ain't neglecting his lower limbs ... 'cause he put his chiseled gams on full display as he rocked a pair of black short shorts.

Josh Allen Credits Hailee For MVP-Caliber Year ... 'She's Just The Best'

It ain't extra reps, workouts or practice time that's got Josh Allen ballin' out this season ... no, according to the Bills quarterback, it's love!!

The Buffalo superstar admitted to The Associated Press this week that his relationship with Hailee Steinfeld has helped him elevate his game to a whole 'nother level.

"She’s been a huge part," he said of the singer/actress. "The morale, the support. When I get home, she’s my biggest fan, my biggest supporter. She’s just the best."

Report: Woody Johnson Torpedoed Jerry Jeudy Trade ... Due To 'Madden' Rating

Some of the New York Jets' recent front office moves were not based in reality, but off a video game -- at least, that's what one report is stating ... with Woody Johnson allegedly rejecting a trade for Jerry Jeudy due to the star receiver's 'Madden' rating.

The allegation is one of many laid out in a negative feature focused on Johnson in The Athletic ... which details how several anonymous players and staffers really feel about the guy.

The main takeaway is how most folks disagree with Johnson's decision-making ... and the most surprising example is when the Jets were close to landing the now-Cleveland Browns star before the Johnson & Johnson heir got involved.

Tee Higgins Burrow's Brushing Off Burglary ... 'Handling It Really Well'

121624-tee-higgins-kal
He's Doing Well
TMZSports.com

Tee Higgins says he's hasn't seen a change in Joe Burrow's demeanor despite the scary break-in at his place earlier this month ... telling TMZ Sports the QB "is handling it really well."

Burrow's Cincinnati pad, of course, was burglarized back on Dec. 9 -- while he was in Texas playing in a "Monday Night Football" game against the Dallas Cowboys.

The situation was disturbing -- as one of his windows was found smashed ... while one of his bedrooms was discovered ransacked. To make matters worse, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Olivia Ponton was on the scene -- creating more worries and questions for Burrow.

Titans HC Brian Callahan My Team Isn't Soft ... Notion Is 'Total Bulls***!!!'

121824_brian_callahan-kal
rant o'clock

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan is adamant his team isn't soft ... and he's telling anyone who disagrees with him to shove that notion "right up your ass!"

Callahan went on a two-minute diatribe about his squad during a testy meeting with reporters Wednesday afternoon ... insisting the guys in his locker room are nothing but "tough f***ers."

He said repeatedly he thinks his team plays hard ... and just because the Titans are 3-11 this season doesn't mean they won't hit their opponents in the mouth over and over again on Sundays.