Mercilus to miss today’s game
Precautionary move made after LB has flare-up of previous back injury
Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus will be held out of Sunday’s game against Jacksonville because of a back injury, according to a source not authorized to speak publicly.
A previous back injury flared up last week, and Mercilus did not practice Thursday and Friday after being limited Wednesday. The Texans are taking precautions with his back and will re-evaluate his status this week. Mercilus leads the Texans with 5½ sacks.
The Texans already are missing starting outside linebacker John Simon because of a chest injury. Simon will miss his fourth game in a row Sunday. The Texans could go with Akeem Dent and Benardrick McKinney at outside linebacker against the Jaguars or utilize defensive end Jadeveon Clowney there in addition to him playing in a three-point stance.
The Texans made it official Saturday when they activated rookie outside linebacker Brennan Scarlett from injured reserve.
Scarlett replaces cornerback Al-Hajj Shabazz on the active roster. Shabazz was placed on waivers Saturday.
Scarlett (6-4, 260) was designated for return Thursday. He was placed on injured reserve earlier this season with a hamstring injury.
“I’m just thankful for the opportunity that they see enough of me to put me back on the active roster and go out and help this team win,” said Scarlett, who went undrafted out of Stanford. “I definitely just try to get better every time I step on the field and play hard and do my best out there and rely on my preparation.