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Laremy Tunsil hasn’t practiced all week. The reports have been that he’s fighting some sort of bug that isn’t COVID-19. The Texans were hoping Tunsil would be better in time for tomorrow’s game against the Patriots.
If we’ve learned anything this year, it’s that hope ain’t enough. Tunsil is likely to be out for Houston’s game at NRG Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
Texans elevating running back Scottie Phillips and center-guard Greg Mancz, per league sources, team to activate tight end Kahale Warring next week from injured reserve for designated for return; offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil expected to miss game with non-COVID-19 illness
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) November 21, 2020
This means the job of protecting Deshaun Watson’s blind side probably falls to Roderick Johnson. Johnson played well last season, mostly at right tackle, and the team re-signed him this past offseason to serve as their swing tackle. Now he’ll have to deal with whatever Bill Belichick schemes up as the Texans look to improve to 3-7.
UPDATE: A day later, Ian Rapoport says Tunsil has been cleared to play.
#Texans WR Kenny Stills (back) is expected to play today, source said. As for LT Laremy Tunsil, he’s questionable with an illness, but source said he was cleared to play. The big test will be simply how he feels. If he feels OK he should play.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 22, 2020
We’ll know the real answer when the Texans and Patriots release their inactives for Week 11 around 10:30 a.m. CST.
UPDATE II: Tunsil is in fact inactive for the Texans’ game against the Patriots today.