Tag: Whitney Mercilus

Will Anderson Jr. sets Texans record, makes late push for Defensive Rookie of the Year

Will Anderson Jr. is making a late push for Defensive Rookie of the Year after setting a Texans record on Sunday

The Houston Texans have missed Will Anderson Jr.

They decided the pass rusher from Alabama could be a future face of their franchise when they selected him third overall in the 2023 NFL draft. General manager Nick Caserio and head coach DeMeco Ryans’ faith was even further shown through the hefty trade price, including two first-round picks, they paid to move back into the top three after selecting quarterback C.J. Stroud.

By all accounts, his season to date had been a success. He had five sacks, 42 tackles and 56 quarterback pressures while playing a huge role in the Texans massive turnaround in run defense. Anderson had consistently shown the talent and explosiveness that captivated Houston’s coaching staff despite missing their Week 15 and 16 contests.

On Sunday, he added another feather in his cap.

Anderson had one of the best games of his young career against the Tennessee Titans. He gathered two sacks, both on the same drive, and six quarterback pressures while terrorizing both Will Levis and backup Ryan Tannehill. Per Next Gen Stats, Anderson had a pressure rate of 54.5%, affecting the quarterback on over half of his snaps played.

The performance was not only a huge boost for the Texans team hopes, as the win put them in position to clinch an AFC Wild Card spot if they can win their Week 18 finale in Indianapolis, but also gave him some personal accolades.

His seven sacks on the season passed Whitney Mercilus for the most by a Houston Texans rookie in franchise history. For comparison, franchise legend J.J. Watt had only 5.0 in his rookie campaign. It could have also helped him from a national perspective.

The Defensive Rookie of the Year award is far from a done contest, albeit Philadelphia defensive tackle Jalen Carter is a huge betting favorite. Anderson’s two-sack performance allowed him to pass Carter in the category and his narrative as a compelling factor in Houston’s turnaround, in a potential playoff season, may be enough to capture voters.

Certainly, there are bigger concerns for Anderson than personal awards or franchise records. Houston fans, however, have to feel quite good that their team has incredible building blocks on both sides on the football. They’ll see next week whether or not it’s enough to make the AFC playoffs .

WATCH: K-9 units take down former Texans’ Whitney Mercilus for USAA Salute to Service

Former Houston Texans OLB Whitney Mercilus experienced what it is like to be taken down by K-9s at Randolph Air Force Base.

Whitney Mercilus took hits every Sunday in the NFL from 2012-21, but nothing could prepare him for a recent meeting with K-9 units.

Mercilus joined soon-to-be Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Joe Thomas to salute the military at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio. The two former NFL players were taking part in a “day in the life” experience as part of USAA’s Salute to Service — and that meant getting attacked by K-9s.

“It was absolutely an experience to get into the nitty gritty and to go through that training regimen,” Mercilus said. “The ferocity of the dogs, you couldn’t envision it. They are — as soon as they see a target, they are gone. They do their job. They execute it really well.”

Thomas and Mercilus stood in training gear and pretended to be perps and tried to see how far they could get away before being taken down by the K-9s.

“To be on the receiving end of it, I’ve always seen it on TV, and to actually be able to do it was a dream come true,” said Mercilus. “I will say it’s a little strange, but really that was an experience to know how powerful those dogs bites really are.”

Mercilus, who says he has been looking for new opportunities to experience in his life after the NFL, believed the outing was “perfect.” The only regret he has is not taking part in the experience during his playing days in the offseason.

Said Mercilus: “Should have loaded up and tried to run away from a dog. My speed could have got a lot faster.”

USAA is the official NFL Salute to Service partner.

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Houston Texans salary cap: 16 players responsible for $52.7M in dead money

The Houston Texans owe over $52.7 million in dead money, a goodly portion of their salary cap. Here are the 16 players responsible for the dead money.

Part of general manager Nick Caserio’s job in rebuilding the Houston Texans is taking chances with contracts, or moving on from players who don’t exactly fit with the current vision for the team.

In releasing and trading players, the Texans have accrued $52,712,957 in dead money that will remain on their books throughout the 2022 campaign.

However, the Texans’ salary cap situation should look more optimistic once the team is able to get upfield into the 2023 offseason when some of these contracts are off the books.

Here is a look at the 16 players who are responsible for the dead money. All figures are from Over The Cap.

Former Texans OLB Whitney Mercilus announces retirement after 10 seasons

Former Houston Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus announced his retirement from the NFL after 10 seasons.

Former Houston Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus announced his retirement from the NFL after 10 seasons.

The former 2012 first-round pick from Illinois posted a lengthy retirement announcement on Instagram on Wednesday.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CcBMFKZOvTX/

“After ten seasons in the NFL, I have finally made the decision to hang up my cleats and announce my retirement. Looking back, I was just a kid from Akron, Ohio, who didn’t start playing the game until I was a freshman in high school. I had no idea at that moment how my life could change forever.

“There’s so much this game has taught me. From being a great teammate, to being a forever student of the sport. From understanding the importance of integrity, discipline, and a relentless pursuit of being the best athlete and person on and off the field. From adapting to new environments and getting comfortable being uncomfortable. To punishing my body and mind to its absolute limits, and understanding the importance of taking care of my mind, body, and spirit. The lessons I’ve learned in this game, I will take with me for the rest of my life.

“This decision was not an easy one, but I am excited and ready to walk into this new season of life. God has given me the opportunity to play this sport professionally for ten years, and He has given me this path to continue to walk within His purpose. I am grateful that I can walk away from football with absolutely zero regrets, a boatload of memories, lessons, lifelong friends, and a heart filled with gratitude.

“Words cannot express how grateful I am for those who were a part of this journey with me. There are too many people to thank as there have been so many who have been pivotal in my career the last 17 years. However, please know that if you have been a part of this football journey with me, I am speaking to you. So, thank you. I want to thank my family. Thank you for the sacrifices you’ve made, your unconditional love, support, patience, and guidance. I love you all!

“Green Bay Packers, thank you for accepting me with open arms and taking a chance on this vet!! Playing for this organization in this historic Lambeau Field will be something I will never forget. The spark I felt the moment I stepped foot onto Green Bay will be with me forever.

“To the McNair Family and the Houston Texans, thank you for selecting me in 2012 to be a part of the organization. I was able to make Houston my home with my family and I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else. It was an honor to play for the Texans for nearly a decade! I appreciated all our ups and downs as a franchise, and am grateful for all the experiences we’ve had together!

“To all of my coaches and staff whom I’ve had the pleasure playing for over the last 10 seasons, thank you! We went to battle every game, and I thank you for your wisdom, lessons, and guidance throughout my career. To my support staff, athletic trainers, massage therapists, doctors, and chiropractors for helping me maintain my body in peak conditions and also for helping me in times of injury. You ALL are truly MVPs!

“To my teammates new and old, I’ve cherished every single one of my relationships with you. I’m going to miss game days, flights back from a big W, and just hanging out in the locker room! We’re family for life! Thank you for all the memories. To my fans, thank you for supporting me these last ten years. I have been very grateful and blessed to have all of you cheer for me and my teammates on every single game day! We play this game for you, and the support I’ve reached from both the Texans and the Packers is something I’ll cherish!

“It’s a bittersweet goodbye, but I am very much looking forward to the next season of life. Exploring new passions, businesses, and investing in myself. I am grateful that I can willingly walk away from this sport that has given me so much, and I am looking forward to giving back along the way. I can’t wait for the next chapter of my life and what God has in store for me! God bless, and thank you!”

Mercilus collected 345 combined tackles, 57.0 sacks, 72 tackles for loss, 115 quarterback hits, two interceptions, seven pass breakups, 13 forced fumbles, and nine fumble recoveries through 134 career games with Houston, 102 of which he started.

Packers OLB Whitney Mercilus retiring from NFL

Whitney Mercilus, who played a part of the 2021 season with the Packers and is currently a free agent, will retire from the NFL. 

Outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus, who played a part of the 2021 season with the Green Bay Packers and is currently a free agent, will retire from the NFL.

Mercilus announced the decision on his official Instagram page on Wednesday.

“It’s time to hang it up,” Mercilus said in the post’s caption.

Counting the playoffs, Mercilus played 147 games and was on the field for over 7,000 total snaps.

“I decided to hang up the cleats. I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my life,” Mercilus said.

Mercilus, who turns 32 years old in July, played in four regular-season games and one playoff game for the Packers last season. He produced one sack, two quarterback hits and 10 pressures.

The Packers acquired Mercilus after he was released by the Houston Texans in October. A first-round pick of the Texans in 2012, Mercilus played 138 games and tallied 58 sacks over 10 years in Houston.

Mercilus said he is retiring from football to spend more time with family and focus on other charitable endeavors away from the field.

His contract with the Packers expired in March. Mercilus is an unrestricted free agent.

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Packers activate Za’Darius Smith and Whitney Mercilus from injured reserve

The Packers activated OLBs Za’Darius Smith, Whitney Mercilus from injured reserve on Friday.

The pass-rush of the Green Bay Packers is returning two key members to start the playoffs.

The team officially activated outside linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Whitney Mercilus from injured reserve on Friday, making both eligible to play Saturday night against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC divisional round.

To make room on the roster, the Packers released cornerback Issac Yiadom and defensive lineman Jack Heflin.

Smith has been on injured reserve since playing only 18 snaps in Week 1. He needed surgery to correct a lingering back injury. Over the 2019 and 2020 seasons, Smith produced 26.0 sacks and 60 quarterback hits and was a Pro Bowler each season.

Mercilus was signed by the Packers after being released by the Houston Texans in October. He delivered 10 pressures and a sack over four games with the Packers but was injured while attempting to sack Russell Wilson in Week 10.

Smith and Mercilus will join productive starters Preston Smith and Rashan Gary to create a deep and disruptive group of edge rushers for the Packers to open the postseason.

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Packers designate OLB Whitney Mercilus for return from IR

The Packers had OLB Whitney Mercilus back at practice on Thursday. He’s been on injured reserve since Nov. 16.

The already productive pass-rush of the Green Bay Packers might be adding one more to the bunch for the playoff run.

One day after All-Pro Za’Darius Smith returned to practice, veteran edge rusher Whitney Mercilus was back on the practice field and designated for return from injured reserve.

The Packers acquired Mercilus on Oct. 21 after he was released by the Houston Texans.

Over four games with the Packers, Mercilus delivered 10 pressures, one sack and four stops. He injured his biceps while attempting to sack Russell Wilson in Week 10 and was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 16.

Practicing on Thursday opens his 21-day window to return to the active roster. While being back on the practice field doesn’t guarantee he’ll be back in time to play, the door is now open for his return at some point in the postseason.

If he can return, the Packers could have Mercilus, Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Rashan Gary as a quartet of edge rushers for the playoffs.

Mercilus, a 10-year veteran, has 58 career sacks in 138 career games. He had three sacks in six games with the Texans before joining the Packers this season.

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The Texans will owe over $35 million in dead money to these 11 players in 2022

In 2022, the Houston Texans will owe over $35 million in dead money against the salary cap to these 11 players.

Pro football is hard. It’s even harder when you make bad decisions with the salary cap.

The errors of the last regime have given general manager Nick Caserio a disadvantage that he has had to work through in 2021 while also attempting to field a competitive team. 2022 should be better as Houston will have their full complement of draft picks, but the salary cap situation is still less than idea for a rebuilding team.

According to Over the Cap, the Texans will owe $35,255,576 to 11 players who aren’t even on the team. Here are the 11 players who will cost the Texans dead money in 2022.

Texans dead cap: 42 contracts account for over $42.28 million

The Houston Texans owe over $42 million in dead money for the 2021 salary cap. Here are the 42 contracts that generated the cost.

The first year with Nick Caserio as general manager was going to be a hard one. Just as the Houston Texans didn’t have hardly any picks in the top 100 of the 2021 NFL draft, so too would they be working with diminished salary cap space.

Over the course of the season, as the Texans figure out which players they can build around and which ones would be better suited elsewhere, Houston incurred more costs. It isn’t cheap to release veterans who still had years and money left on their deals.

Here is a list of the 42 contracts that are generating the dead money on the Texans’ salary cap.

Packers OLB Whitney Mercilus suffers season-ending torn biceps

The Packers lost OLB Whitney Mercilus to a season-ending torn biceps injury.

The 2021 season for Whitney Mercilus in Green Bay is over.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Mercilus suffered a season-ending torn biceps injury on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.

Mercilus, who was signed by the Packers after he was released by the Houston Texans, played in four games in Green Bay, delivering one sack and 10 total pressures.

The veteran rusher was attempting to sack Russell Wilson for the second time on Sunday when he suffered the injury. The Packers ruled him out for the rest of the game soon after, indicating the possibility of a significant issue.

Coach Matt LaFleur indicated the possibility of Mercilus missing the rest of the season earlier Monday.

The Packers are expected to place Mercilus on injured reserve at some point this week. General manager Brian Gutekunst will need the roster spot to acquire another edge rusher.

Not only is Mercilus done for the season, but Za’Darius Smith is on injured reserve and doesn’t have a return date, Chauncey Rivers and Randy Ramsey are already out for the year and Rashan Gary is dealing with a new elbow injury.

Mercilus, now 31, was playing on a one-year deal with the Packers. He’ll be a free agent this spring.

The Packers will move forward with second-year edge rusher Jonathan Garvin as the top backup behind Gary and Preston Smith.

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