The Houston Texans like what they have seen from 29-year-old Whitney Mercilus and want to keep the outside linebacker a part of their future plans.
According to a report from Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Texans have reached a deal with the former 2012 first-round pick from Illinois that would keep him in Houston for the next four years.
Mercilus has collected 48 tackles, 7.5 sacks, two pass breakups, two interceptions, four forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 15 starts this season. The 6-4, 258-pound edge defender has had to play more of a role generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks since the club traded Jadeveon Clowney on Aug. 31 and lost defensive end J.J. Watt to a torn pectoral on Oct. 27.
After Week 16’s 23-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, coach Bill O’Brien expressed interest in bringing back Mercilus. Now, that has become a reality.
