Got a question about the Texans? Life in general? Drew Dougherty's your guy. He's been with the Texans since 2009 and is chock full of meaningful, as well as generally useless, information. Fire away by clicking HERE!
Stephen from Meyerland: Dear Drew, Why did the team decide to release Whitney Mercilus now?
DD: In a Tuesday appearance on Texans Radio, General Manager Nick Caserio described how he wanted to get the younger defensive linemen more chances. Jonathan Greenard had a pair of sacks on Sunday and now leads the team with four in 2021. He missed the first two games, and in the three of the last four contests he's suited up, he's been in on just over 50 percent of the defensive snaps. After Mercilus started the first two games and played in over 60 percent of the defensive snaps in each, he was in for just over 40 percent of the snaps in each of the last four games. That means guys like DeMarcus Walker, Jacob Martin and Charles Omenihu might see more action to pick up the slack.
G-Money from Twitter: Dear Drew, What's up with Charles Omenihu?
DD: According to Head Coach David Culley, the team was going with Jordan Jenkins because of what they were seeing in the week worth of practice leading up to each of the last two games. Omenihu started in Week 1 and Week 2, played a lot the next two weeks, and was inactive against the Patriots and Colts, but with Mercilus' exit, you might see Omenihu back in the mix. He was someone Caserio mentioned when asked about the reason for the Mercilus release.
David DeMaet: Dear Drew, When are we going to see RB Scottie Phillips?
DD: Culley was asked about that in Monday's press conference, and while he said "that's always a possibility," it didn't sound like the second-year back would be active any time soon. Phillips is the fifth running back on the roster and hasn't been active through the first six games, but if Houston needs to call on him, Culley said he feels "confident in making that move if it gets to that point."
Shawn: Dear Drew, Do you think the Texans will draft another QB next season?
DD: It wouldn't stun me because they have a lot of draft capital right now and might add more in the months to come. A high pick or one in the middle to late rounds wouldn't be a surprise. Houston obviously has liked what rookie Davis Mills has done this season and will turn to Tyrod Taylor when the veteran is healthy enough to go, but sure, I could see them using a pick on a quarterback. Currently, the Texans have nine draft picks. A first, second, two thirds, a fourth, three in the sixth round and a seventh.
Jeffrey Gelb: Dear Drew, Do you think the Texans should give Danny Amendola a chance to start at quarterback?
DD: No. While he's capable of throwing touchdowns, no, he's better at catching passes. Including the postseason, Amendola has attempted three passes in his career, and four have been completions. Two were touchdowns, and one of those scores was a 28-yarder that came here at NRG Stadium when he and the Dolphins faced the Texans in 2018. He's 4-of-5 for 103 yards with two scores and zero interceptions in his career.
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The Texans will practice Wednesday at the Houston Methodist Training Center. On Sunday in Arizona, they'll face the Cardinals at 3:25 p.m. CT.
The next time you can see the Texans at NRG Stadium will be on October 31 as they host the Los Angeles Rams in Week 8. Kickoff is set for noon CT. Click here for tickets.
