The NFL is starting to take notice that Houston Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus is back.
On Wednesday, Mercilus was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in aiding the Texans to a 13-12 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2. The former 2012 first-round pick collected 2.0 sacks and two forced fumbles in the Texans’ first victory of 2019.
It is the 17th time a Texans defender has won AFC South Defensive Player of the Week, and also the first since defensive end J.J. Watt earned it for his Week 12 performance in 2018.
Mercilus now owns 11 games with 2.0-plus sacks, which is third-most in team history behind defensive ends Watt (24) and Mario Williams (12).
That isn’t the only fine company Mercilus is keeping. With his Week 2 performance, he joined Chris Jones (2017), Terrell Suggs (2011), and Simeon Rice (2003) as the only players since 1993. to log 3.0 sacks, force two fumbles, and snatch an interception in their teams’ first two games of the season.
Mercilus winning AFC Defensive Player of the Week makes it 44 times a Texans player has been named player of the week in club history, and the first for 2019.
