Houston Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil is getting slept on entering the 2022 season.
According to Jeff Kerr from CBS Sports, the two-time Pro Bowler failed to qualify for his list of top-10 tackles entering the 2022 season.
It is one thing for Tunsil to not make the list, but hover near qualification. The former Miami Dolphins 2016 first-round pick wasn’t even on the “just missed cut” list.
Just missed cut: Orlando Brown (Chiefs), Terron Armstead (Dolphins), Rob Havenstein (Rams), Charles Leno Jr. (Commanders), Braden Smith (Colts), Elgton Jenkins (Packers), La’el Collins (Browns), Dion Dawkins (Bills), Garett Bolles (Broncos), Donovan Smith (Buccaneers)
The reason for Tunsil’s absence is largely related to two factors: the Texans were terrible in 2021 with a 4-13 finish, and Tunsil played in just five games due to a thumb injury.
In 2020, Tunsil incidentally earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl — all accrued during his Texans tenure — despite the club going 4-12. But the Texans were in close games and just had the bottom fall out. Despite the club having traded DeAndre Hopkins that offseason, there was still star power at the quarterback and pass rush positions to generate national interest.
In 2021, the Texans sustained such ignominious losses like a 40-0 beatdown at the hands of the Buffalo Bills in Week 4 — a game that Tunsil played in. The stench of the rebuilding Texans has affected analyst’s perception of Tunsil.
When the Texans still had a glimmer of hope to have a decent season, analysts were recognizing Tunsil as a top tackle in the game, and faced premier pass rushing talent to earn such recognition.
Offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton is thankful to have Tunsil protecting second-year quarterback Davis Mills’ blindside.
“It’s good to see Laremy out there in practice,” Hamilton said on June 15 during mandatory minicamp at Houston Methodist Training Center. “We’ll go back and watch the film and really evaluate how these two days of minicamp went for our guys.”
The only way Tunsil can get back in the top-10 conversation is if the Texans start winning.
