"It really hurts our team to hear that news," he said on Tuesday. "He's been such an important part of our team, and everything he brought, not only on the field but off the field, was the energy, the leader, and the way he worked every single day."
Diggs tore his ACL in Sunday's win over the Colts and has been placed on the season-ending Reserve/Injured list.
The Texans have lost a four-time Pro Bowl receiver and a high-profile offseason addition that many viewed as the final piece on a roster built to contend for the Super Bowl title.
Since his arrival in the offseason, Diggs had invested in his new teammates, offering encouragement and tips to a long list of young players on offense and defense.
The news hits hard for players like Tank Dell.
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"That's my brother," Dell said. "More than a friend, that's my brother for sure."
Dell sent a text to Ryans after hearing the news and received one in return.
"He's gonna be alright," Dell said. "He wanted me to go and finish the job for him, so that's my job. That's what I'm going to do."
The Texans will face the Jets Thursday night without Diggs and leading receiver Nico Collins.
They'll miss more than a four-time Pro Bowl receiver in Diggs. They'll miss his leadership on the field, and players like Xavier Hutchinson know they have to step up as a group to fill the void.
"It comes with confidence in yourself," Hutchinson said. "I found a new confidence in myself this year."
Diggs and Collins have combined for 79 catches for 1,063 yards and six receiving touchdowns.
Diggs, acquired in an offseason trade with the Buffalo Bills, ranked seventh in the NFL for 47 catches this season and was second on the Texans for 496 yards.
Making up for that production won't be easy. A new test for the Texans starts Thursday night in prime time.
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