HOUSTON – The Houston Texans have signed OLB Whitney Mercilus to a contract extension, it was announced today. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Mercilus (6-4, 258), has appeared in 47 career games (33 starts) and has recorded 139 tackles (80 solo), 18.0 sacks, 36 quarterback hits, 21 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. His career sack total ranks fifth in franchise history, while his 6.0 sacks in 2012 tied a franchise rookie record. In three seasons with the team, he has been a part of two defenses that ranked in the top 10 in the NFL in yards allowed.
Last season, Mercilus totaled 50 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 11 quarterback hits, nine tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in 15 contests (13 starts). He also set or tied single-game career highs in tackles (nine) and tackles for loss (two). In 2013, he notched career highs in sacks (7.0) and quarterback hits (18). Mercilus was originally selected by the Texans in the first round (26th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Illinois, where he posted 18.0 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, 11 forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in three career seasons.
