Texans Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil returns to game after having ankle injury examined

Texans Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil left the game with a left ankle injury in the first half Sunday, returning in the second half after being examined in the locker room.

Tunsil, the Texans’ $75 million man, injured his ankle in the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He limped off the field under his own power. First, Tunsil was examined on the bench by head athletic trainer Roland Ramirez before going into the blue medical tent and then headed inside the locker room for further examination.

He was replaced at left tackle by rookie second-round pick Blake Fisher.

Texans Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs was examined for a facial injury, but it wasn’t serious and he went back in the game.

The Texans’ Pro Bowl left tackle is one of the top pass blockers in the NFL.

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Tunsil has an 82.2 pass blocking grade this season, according to Pro Football Focus. He had a 91.4 pass blocking grade against the Vikings, allowing zero sacks, pressures, hurries or hits. He hasn’t allowed a pressure since the season-opening win over the Indianapolis Colts when he was blamed for two sacks by the analytics site. He had an 85.4 pass blocking grade last season and a career-high 91.7 mark two years ago.

He was heavily criticized this week on social media and on sports talk radio for his multitude of penalties. There were even suggestions he should be benched, which obviously isn’t going to happen and isn’t in the best interest of the team from a competitive standpoint.

“That’s what comes with the game,” Tunsil said Friday. “You’ve got the outside people who really doesn’t know as much about the game, but it’s okay. We’ve got to keep working, fix the details, be on our assignments. Next-play mentality, no matter what happens. Pre-snap penalties, illegal formations, next-play mentality, no matter what happens.”

Tunsil reset the tackle market when he signed a three-year, $75 million contract extension that includes $50 million fully guaranteed, $60 million total guaranteed and a $30 million signing bonus.

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.

“Laremy is one of the best tackles in the league,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said during training camp. “Having him back out here working with us, he’s done a phenomenal job. He’s been a top tackle throughout his entire career, so anytime you get a guy like that of his caliber back, it helps our entire team.”

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