Houston Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus took a couple games to get going in the 2020 season.
In Week 1 at the Kansas City Chiefs, he collected three combined tackles before being shutout in the stat sheet in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens.
According to outside linebackers coach Chris Rumph, Mercilus was working his way into playing shape, something every NFL player had to do without an offseason program, traditional training camp, or preseason.
“At the beginning I think he had those COVID legs,” Rumph said. “I think he was struggling a little bit, trying to get in shape the first probably two games. He wasn’t the guy that I saw on film.”
Rumph was even concerned to the point he talked to the strength and conditioning staff, who assured Rumph that Mercilus just needed more time.
“He is starting to heat up here during the last few games,” said Rumph. “He is starting to make some plays and starting to look like his old self. I think a guy, you got to know who you are. You got to know what you have, what you possess, what you can do.”
It wasn’t until Week 3 at the Pittsburgh Steelers that Mercilus came alive with five combined tackles, including a tackle for loss.
In Week 4’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Mercilus got to quarterback Kirk Cousins twice. The following week in the club’s 30-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Mercilus produced 1.0 sack and a fumble recovery. For the season, the former 2012 first-round pick from Illinois has 14 combined tackles, four tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Rumph also says part of Mercilus’ challenge is being productive at 30 years old.
Said Rumph: “As you get older, and stuff like that you have to rely on other things. He has to be perfect on my techniques. Maybe before I was able to round this thing a little bit more because I had the ability and quickness to really recover. Now, I got to almost be perfect on some of my steps and my hand placement. I got to really be sharp on my game, on my study to really know. The margin for error, you know, when you get a little older, you know how it is.”
As the Texans come out of their bye week with a 1-6 record, they will need more from Mercilus to generate a pass rush and affect opposing quarterbacks.