The Houston Texans will be without two of their veteran linebackers as they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at TIAA Bank Field.
According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, after outside linebacker Jacob Martin tested positive for COVID-19, contact tracing revealed that outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus and inside linebacker Dylan Cole had been in contact with Martin. As a result, though they may or may not be positive with the novel coronavirus, they go on the COVID-19 reserve list. In order to get off, they have to test positive over the next five days, and the game is three days away — not enough time.
The Texans could rely on rookie outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard to play more snaps on the edge and also activate inside linebacker Peter Kalambayi to provide support on special teams, where Cole has excelled for his four-year career.