The Houston Texans will be without one of their starting outside linebackers as they take on the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at NRG Stadium in Week 16.
Outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus was placed on the COVID-19 reserve Friday, the team announced.
Mercilus originally missed Week 9’s rematch with the Jacksonville Jaguars as he and inside linebacker Dylan Cole were deemed close contacts with outside linebacker Jacob Martin, who did test positive for the novel coronavirus.
The Texans were able to activate outside linebacker Brennan Scarlett from injured reserve last week. Houston also has Martin and rookie third-rounder Jonathan Greenard to provide support on the edge in the absence of Mercilus.
