Whitney Mercilus is expected to start against the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday.
"He'll play," head coach Bill O'Brien said Thursday. "He'll be ready to go."
Mercilus returned to practice this week and was a full participant on Thursday after missing Week 15 at Indianapolis because of a back issue. Mercilus currently has 44 tackles, 27 solo, 4.0 sacks for a loss of 27 yards, one pass defensed, and one forced fumble through 13 games and 11 starts.
The (7-7) Texans will host the (9-5) Ravens on Sunday at NRG Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. on CBS KHOU-11 and SportsRadio 610.