Mercilus’ fumble-causing sack a good sign
Whitney Mercilus provided a reminder of his pass-rushing skills, sacking elusive Detroit Lions quarterback Josh Johnson on Saturday night at NRG Stadium.
Tackling Johnson for a loss of 7 yards and forcing a fumble, the veteran outside linebacker could be utilized in a similar role this season with or without the presence of unsigned franchise player Jadeveon Clowney.
Clowney is absent from training camp and has been the subject of trade discussions.
Last year proved a rough season for Mercilus.
He operated in different role than in previous seasons. He wasn’t featured as a pass rusher even though he has 42½ career sacks.
The former first-round draft pick from Illinois was involved heavily in pass coverage as he dealt with hamstring and back injuries. He started nine games and recorded 39 tackles, four sacks and two forced fumbles as his playing time was reduced.
Entering the final year of a four-year, $26 million contract, Mercilus is expected to be used more the way he was in 2015 and 2016 when he combined for 19½ sacks.
The Texans had zero sacks and zero quarterback hits a week ago against the Green Bay Packers when they used a fairly vanilla approach.
“He’s playing more off the edge of the defense, but he still plays at the second level sometimes,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said of Mercilus. “He’s doing more of what he did two or three years ago, no doubt.
“Whitney’s had a good camp. Whitney’s been very active. His pass rush has been good, he’s healthy, he feels good. He’s had a good camp.”
Carter fills void with Coutee out
The sprained ankle of Texans wide receiver Keke Coutee is alleviated a bit by DeAndre Carter.
With Carter in place, the Texans have a solid return specialist who doubles as a capable slot receiver.
Carter started against Detroit with Coutee out Saturday night and caught three passes for 40 yards on his first three targets.
Claimed off waivers last season from the Philadelphia Eagles, Carter emerged as the primary return specialist. He averaged 24.6 yards per kickoff return and 9.1 yards per punt return for the Texans and 9.6 yards overall for the season, including his stint with the Eagles. He also caught 20 passes for 195 yards as a stand-in for Coutee after catching two passes for 21 yards with the Eagles before he was released.
Texans coach Bill O’Brien is happy to have Carter in place in case Coutee isn’t ready for the season opener Sept. 9 at New Orleans.
“We talked about that, relative to Keke’s injury, and I’m glad we have DeAndre Carter,” O’Brien said. “He’s a good solid player, he’s got good quickness, he’s a strong player, he’s a good punt returner.
“He averaged like almost 9.6 yards per punt return last year, which is a good drive starter when you can average almost 10 yards a punt return, so I’m glad we’ve got him.”
Kalil doesn’t play as lineup shuffled
The Texans made another change on the offensive line, starting Roderick Johnson at left tackle with former Pro Bowl left tackle Matt Kalil held out.
Rookie first-round draft pick Tytus Howard again started at left guard.
Zach Fulton started at center with Nick Martin (hamstring) and Greg Mancz (ankle) out.
Rookie second-round pick Max Scharping started at right guard next to right tackle Seantrel Henderson.
Defensively, the Texans held out defensive linemen J.J. Watt and D.J. Reader along with cornerback Johnathan Joseph and safety Justin Reid.
The Texans started Angelo Blackson, Joel Heath and Brandon Dunn across the defensive line, Whitney Mercilus and Brennan Scarlett at outside linebacker, Zach Cunningham and Benardrick McKinney at inside linebacker along with safeties Jahleel Addae and Chris Johnson and cornerbacks Bradley Roby and Johnson Bademosi.
Safety A.J. Moore and tight end Kahale Warring are out with concussions.
Rookie cornerback Xavier Crawford is sidelined with a hurt hamstring along with slot wide receiver Keke Coutee (sprained ankle), defensive lineman Carlos Watkins and backup quarterback A.J. McCarron (thumb).
Smith makes 31-yard TD catch
Making a statement in the Texans’ roster battle, wide receiver Vyncint Smith caught a touchdown pass against the Detroit Lions.
The 31-yard score on a pass from quarterback Joe Webb is big for Smith.
A year ago, Smith made the Texans as an undrafted rookie as a free agent from Division II Limestone College.
Smith caught a touchdown last season against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Smith is competing with undrafted rookie Tyron Johnson and others for one of the final receiver spots on the 53-man roster.