Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Texans release longtime DE Whitney Mercilus

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 10/19/21

In February, the Houston Texans stunned the NFL world when they released franchise icon J.J. Watt. This week, the Texans pulled off another surprising move, as they have chosen to move on from fellow longtime Houston defensive end Whitney Mercilus.

Texans officially release DE Whitney Mercilus after nine-plus seasons with clubhttps://t.co/4pXDZuaLAI pic.twitter.com/9yjUJWW0V0
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) October 19, 2021

The 31-year-old was selected by the Texans with the 26th overall pick during the 2012 NFL draft (one year before Watt) and has gathered some impressive numbers over the last nine-plus seasons in the Lone Star state. In 134 career games, Mercilus has recorded 357 tackles, 115 quarterback hits 57 sacks and 13 forced fumbles. Mercilus had both of his career interceptions during the 2019 campaign.

He's registered at least five sacks six times in his career, including a career-best 12 in 2015, and was named a second team All-Pro in 2016. In six games this fall, Mercilus has 12 tackles and three sacks.

Through the half dozen contests this season with the Texans, Mercilus had played on just 52% of the defensive snaps, which is the lowest since his rookie year - not counting the 20% he played after appearing in just five games in 2017.

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