78 days until the Texans' 2025 season opener: Who has worn No.78?

The Houston Texans are less than 100 days away from kicking off the 2025 season in Los Angeles against the Rams at SoFi Stadium and we're counting down the days until a victory ensues on the west coast.
Texans Wire will each day tell you which player has worn the number of the day leading up to kickoff and pick the player who ensured the number best during their time at NRG Stadium. As for today, let's take a look at who has won No. 78 since the inaugural season in 2002.
Texans players to wear No. 78
No. 78 currently belongs to offensive tackle Zach Thomas. Last season, Thomas wore the No. 73 in the preseason and on the practice squad, but that was because someone else donned the jersey for six season.
Part of the reason that the Texans believe second-round pick Aireontae Ersery can be the long-term Pro Bowl talent on the offensive line played a factor in why they traded five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders earlier this offseason. Prior to his departure this spring, Tunsil wore the No. 78 for six seasons after arriving from Miami in 2019.
As the anchor of the Texans' rebuild, Tunsil's legacy won't be forgotten. He helped stabilize the franchise and kept things intact before the arrival of DeMeco Ryans, C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. in 2023. As the face of the organization, Tunsil was also arguably the league's best pass protector for five seasons.
It'll be a tall ask to assume someone beat Tunsil as the No. 1 offensive tackle, but there's reason to believe at least someone could fight for the title of G.O.A.T at No. 78.
Best Player: Laremy Tunsil
It's no debate. Outside of Duane Brown, Tunsil is the greatest tackle in franchise history. Over his six seasons filled with false starts, the five-time Pro Bowler also allowed just 10 total sacks and 19 total pressures in over 100 starts. Despite the offensive line allowing an average of 48.6 sacks during his time in Houston, no one could get past the former first-round standout.
While the asking price eventually cost Houston two early first-round picks, it netted the franchise one of the best linemen over the last decade. He'll forever be remembered as a staple of the Texans' rebuild and hopefully will continue his Hall of Fame-caliber in D.C.
Just not when the Texans have to take on the Commanders in the coming seasons.

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