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 5/20/2019)
LB, Tyrell Adams, 50
S, Jahleel Addae, 37
TE, Jordan Akins, 88
WR, Floyd Allen, 82
LB, Jesse Anniebonam, 69
DB, Johnson Bademosi, 23
CB, Derrick Baity Jr., 30
OLB, Davin Bellamy, 48
DE, Angelo Blackson, 97
CB, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, 30
CB, Deante Burton, 39
WR, DeAndre Carter, 14
OLB, Jadeveon Clowney, 90
LB, Dylan Cole, 51
CB, Aaron Colvin, 22
WR, Keke Coutee, 16
CB, Xavier Crawford, 28
RB, Damarea Crockett, 36
ILB, Zach Cunningham, 41
P, Trevor Daniel, 8
OL, Julién Davenport, 70
LB, Jamal Davis, 49
WR, Johnnie Dixon, 18
DE, Brandon Dunn, 92
NT, Javi Edwards, 78
An image from the May 10, 2019 Rookie Mini Camp offseason practice.
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, 7
TE, Darren Fells, 87
RB, Josh Ferguson, 40
RB, D'Onta Foreman, 27
WR, Will Fuller, V, 15
OL, Zach Fulton, 73
FB, Cullen Gillaspia, 44
S, Tashaun Gipson, 39
DE, Joel Heath, 93
OL, Seantrel Henderson, 76
S, A.J. Hendy, 37
RB, Karan Higdon, 31
WR, DeAndre Hopkins, 10
OL, Tytus Howard, 71
DE, Albert Huggins, 67
S, Chris Johnson, 43
CB, Lonnie Johnson, Jr., 32
OL, Roderick Johnson, 63
WR, Tyron Johnson, 13
RB, Taiwan Jones, 34
CB, Johnathan Joseph, 24
OLB, Peter Kalambayi, 58
OL, Matt Kalil, 75
OL, Senio Kelemete, 64
CB, Jermaine Kelly, 35
OLB, Chris Landrum, 42
OL, Rick Leonard, 72
LB, Drew Lewis, 52
WR, Stephen Louis, 12
OL, Greg Mancz, 65
C, Nick Martin, 66
QB, AJ McCarron, 2
LB, Benardrick McKinney, 55
OLB, Whitney Mercilus, 59
RB, Lamar Miller, 26
WR, Steven Mitchell, Jr., 11
S, A.J. Moore, 33
DE, Charles Omenihu, 94
NT, Walter Palmore, 60
OL, Malcolm Pridgeon, 68
OL, Martinas Rankin, 75
NT/DE, D.J. Reader, 98
S, Justin Reid, 20
CB, Bradley Roby, 21
DE, Ira Savage-Lewis, 96
OLB, Brennan Scarlett, 57
OL, Max Scharping, 74
OL, Maurquice Shakir, 77
WR, Vyncint Smith, 17
OL, David Steinmetz, 79
TE, Jordan Thomas, 83
DL, Carlos Watkins, 91
DE, J.J. Watt, 99
WR, Jester Weah, 86
QB, Joe Webb, III, 5
LS, Jon Weeks, 46
WR, Isaac Whitney, 19
LB, Xavier Woodson-Luster, 56
