The Texans offseason workout program kicked off with a healthy Whitney Mercilus on the field.
"100 percent, no doubt," Mercilus said Tuesday. "Got cleared a month ago. Ready to rock and roll."
Mercilus played just five games before a torn pectoral muscle ended his 2017 season. He admits his first season-ending NFL injury has taught him patience and to take road to recovery one day at a time. Now six months later, Mercilus is eager to get back on the field with his teammates.
"Despite the pec, as far as having a year of recovery on the body, I feel fresh, I feel energized," Mercilus said. "I need somewhere to put all of this energy so I can't wait to put on the pads and definitely see the first person to hit and put everything into it."
His return is great news for a Texans defense that lost both Mercilus and J.J. Watt to season-ending injuries on the same drive against Kansas City on Oct. 8. Watt, who rehabbed with Mercilus, referred to the eight-year veteran as "one of the most underrated players in the league."
"I think Whitney is an incredible pass rusher," Watt said. "I think he's great in run defense, but I think he's one of the most underrated pass rushers in the league. I think that having him back out on the field at full strength and being able to be some things that he's capable of, really excited about that. He's a guy that I think can bring a ton of production and a ton of success to the squad."
The Texans are currently in Phase 1 of their nine-week offseason program.
The Houston Texans roster in photos. (Updated 3/2/2021)

ILB, Tyrell Adams #50

TE, Jordan Akins, 88

DT, Auzoyah Alufohai, #98

P, Bryan Anger, 9

CB, Cornell Armstrong, 30

C/G, Beau Benzschawel #62

DT, Ross Blacklock #90

ILB, Curtis Bolton #47

DT, Andrew Brown, #97

TE Pharaoh Brown #85

C, Cohl Cabral #72

WR, Randall Cobb #18

ILB, Dylan Cole, 51

CB, Gareon Conley, 22

WR, Brandin Cooks #13

WR, Isaiah Coulter #82

WR, Keke Coutee, 16

CB, Keion Crossen, 35

ILB, Zach Cunningham, 41

DE, Brandon Dunn, 92

OLB, Duke Ejiofor, 53

ILB, Kyle Emanuel, 56

K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, 7

TE, Darren Fells, 87

G, Hjalte Froholdt #77

OL, Zach Fulton, 73

CB, Phillip Gaines #29

FB, Cullen Gillaspia, 44

OLB, Jonathan Greenard #52

ILB, Nate Hall, 48

NT, P.J. Hall #96

WR, Chad Hansen, #17

CB, Vernon Hargreaves III #26

T, Charlie Heck #67

RB, Dontrell Hilliard, #22

OL, Tytus Howard, 71

RB, Buddy Howell, 38

RB, David Johnson #31

CB, Lonnie Johnson, Jr., 32

T, Roderick Johnson #63

LS, Anthony Kukwa #45

LB, Jacob Martin, 54

QB, AJ McCarron #2

LB, Benardrick McKinney, 55

OLB, Whitney Mercilus, 59

WR, Steven Mitchell, Jr., 11

S, A.J. Moore, 33

S Eric Murray #23

DE, Charles Omenihu, 94

S, Jonathan Owens, 36

RB, Scottie Phillips, #40

G/T Brent Qvale #76

WR, Damion Ratley, #19

CB, John Reid #34

S, Justin Reid, 20

OLB, Brennan Scarlett, 57

OL, Max Scharping, 74

S, Michael Thomas #28

TE, Kahale Warring, 81

DL, Carlos Watkins, 91

QB, Deshaun Watson, 4

LS, Jon Weeks #46