Texans right tackle Tytus Howard makes healthy return from knee injury, Laremy Tunsil held out of first day of camp

HOUSTON – Texans offensive tackle Tytus Howard made a healthy return from a left knee injury that required surgery and ended his season last year as he was placed on injured reserve.

He practiced on the first day of training camp.

Howard’s injury had gotten to a point where he developed a small hole between the knee and patellar tendon, per league sources.

Howard had an excellent rehab from the injury and lined up at his natural right tackle position Thursday morning next to right guard Shaq Mason, center Juice Scruggs, left guard Kenyon Green and rookie left tackle Blake Fisher with Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil being eased into drills after making a full recovery from offseason arthroscopic knee surgery.

“It was good to see Tytus back,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Missed some time with the surgery, so good to see him back healthy and having an opportunity to compete.”

lTunsil underwent successful arthroscopic surgery in Dallas to address a left knee injury that affected him during the season, according to league sources.

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.

He is not expected to be out long and is on track for the season-opener Sept. 8 against the Indianapolis Colts.

“When it comes to Laremy, we have guys who will be on different schedules throughout camp, so there will be guys you won’t see out,” Ryans said. “But everybody is on track for the season opener. That’s what this is all about, getting guys ready to go when we kick off the season opener.”

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,” Ryans said after that wild-card playoff game victory. “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.”

ROSTER MOVES: Texans rookie offensive tackle LaDarius Henderson, a seventh-round draft pick from Michigan, reverted to reserve-non-football injury list. He underwent foot surgery Thursday, per a league source. Jaxon Janke, a rookie wide receiver, reverted to injured reserve after being waived-injured. Undrafted defensive lineman Pheldarius Payne cleared waivers after being released Wednesday.

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.