INDIANAPOLIS – Texans Pro Bowl left offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil underwent successful arthroscopic surgery in Dallas to address a left knee injury that affected him during the season, according to league sources.
Tunsil is expected to make a full and fast recovery and should be cleared for offseason activities, per a source.
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During the season, Tunsil managed the injury by having it drained a few times, per sources. He also missed three games and was rested during practices once or twice a week
Tunsil impressively shut out Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, a Pro Bowl selection, former top overall pick and consensus All-American from Texas A&M regarded as one of the top defensive players in the NFL. Tunsil, entering the matchup, had allowed just one pressure in 40 matchups with Garrett since 2018, according to NextGen Stats, for a 2.5 percent pressure rate that represents Garrett’s worst against any offensive tackle in a playoff victory.
Tunsil is a key part of the Texans’ offense, protecting quarterback C.J. Stroud.
“Can’t say enough about L.T. and his performance versus arguably the top defensive player in the NFL right now, and he’s done it,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Time and time again, he’s done it. He’s had that matchup. He looked forward to that matchup, and he stands up time and time again.
“He pushed through there, struggling, fighting through injury, and still battles. When you have a left tackle who can do that, that allows C.J. to shine, that allows us to get the ball off. It all starts with protection, and it all starts with L.T. doing a tremendous job against Myles.”
Tunsil did something that has happened in just three other games this season for Garrett: no sacks, no hits in a dozen snaps against each other
With little to no pressure on Stroud, he had plenty of time to pick out his receivers for touchdown passes to tight ends Dalton Schultz and Brevin Jordan and wide receiver Nico Collins.
“Laremy is a top player in this league: top five, top three, top two, not two,” Stroud said. “Laremy is a dog. He was the first person to contact me after I got drafted. I don’t know what he seen, but he seen something special in me and always let me know.
“That instilled a lot of confidence in me. You see him going against some of the top defensive ends and holding it down. I’m super appreciative of him. He’s a brother. I can ask him for anything. He’s always there for me, and I’m always there for him.”
SEE ALSO Texans’ Laremy Tunsil makes Pro Bowl again; six players named as alternates
Tunsil reset the market last offseason with a three-year, $75 million contract extension that includes $50 million fully guaranteed, $60 million total guaranteed and a $30 million signing bonus.
Tunsil is the third-ranked pass protector in the NFL among tackles with an 84.8 mark, according to Pro Football Focus. He has allowed just 12 hurries this season, tying him for the second fewest in the NFL and the least in the AFC.
At a lean 6-foot-5, 313 pounds, Tunsil possesses a rare combination of athleticism, strength, power, explosiveness, technique and discipline. Unlike some hefty 300-pound blockers, Tunsil has a build more in line with a sleek defensive end. There’s an aesthetic aspect to his game. He plays with a distinct style and flow.
“I think his athletic ability is elite,” Brian Baldinger said in a telephone interview with KPRC 2. “It’s just the consistency. Laremy is really good at tying his guy up and not allowing penetration in the backfield. He maintains his mentality. He has composure. He dealt with years of losing. Some guy can’t handle it. Laremy did.”
Tunsil is the highest paid offensive lineman in the NFL and one of the highest rated pass protectors.
Tunsil is a creature of habit, maintaining a spartan training regimen with his college strength coach, Dominic Studzinski, currently at Auburn University, and a healthy diet.
Before an overtime road win over the Tennessee Titans, Baldinger watched closely and spoke briefly with Tunsil before the game. Tunsil’s locked in mentality reminded him of NBA stars Le’Bron James and Steph Curry.
“He has a deep belief in himself,” Baldinger said. “Watching him warm up against Tennessee, he has a defined purpose of what he’s doing for his fundamentals. It reminded me of Le’Bron James and Steph Curry, going through their layups and 3-pointers before an NBA game.
“Laremy warms up with a purpose. He hits his sets. It’s about visualization. He goes out there and plays the way he sees the game. It transfers mentally and in how you play.”
Tunsil, 29, acquired in a blockbuster trade from the Miami Dolphins, is a former first-round draft pick from Mississippi who has excelled at protecting the blind side of Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, an NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate.
He was recognized in balloting for the Pro Bowl split between players, coaches and fans.
“It’s an honor, always a huge blessing just to be with those guys,” Tunsil said. “It never gets old man. That was one of the goals for sure that I set at the beginning of the season, along with just staying consistent, helping the team win games, all those things.”
The top goal? Protecting Stroud, of course.
“Facts,” Tunsil said. “That’s the main goal right there.”
On Aug. 31, 2019, Tunsil and wide receiver Kenny Stills along with a fourth-round draft pick were traded to the Texans in exchange for two first-round draft picks, a second-round selection, cornerback Johnson Bademosi and offensive tackle Julien Davenport.
He was voted to his first Pro Bowl that year and, after the season, signed to a three-year, $66 million contract extension with $57.85 million guaranteed.
Now that he’s been named to the Pro Bowl again, the trade looks better and better for the Texans.
“Every time I get any accomplishment, it leans toward that,” Tunsil said. “Just prove them wrong.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.