Texans defensive end Whitney Mercilus is still healing from a hamstring strain and will be reevaluated next week, head coach David Culley said Thursday.
Mercilus started and played on 12 defensive snap counts for the Texans last Saturday in their preseason finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The 10-year veteran has been held from practice this week, instead observing from the sidelines.
"Whitney is doing fine," Culley said Thursday. "We will reevaluate next week. We hope that he is going to be available but we will just have to see next week because the time between now and next week, when we first start, is very good for those guys to heal and rehab and hopefully, we anticipate him being ready to play."
Mercilus looks to bounce back from a disappointing 2020 season, when coaches said they did not recognize the player they saw on film.
In addition to making the switch from outside linebacker to defensive end, the new coaches expect Mercilus to play at a lighter weight this season.
Mercilus has talked about the benefit of switching to defensive end in Lovie Smith's 4-3 base system, and hopes to be more of a playmaker.
"Everybody doesn't really have to think, especially with the outside linebacker, especially for the ends," Mercilus told reporters July 30. "Whether we've got to drop or anything like that, it's just see ball, go get ball, hit, react off the tackles, react off the tight ends and all that, and go make a play."
Brandon Scott manages digital content for SportsRadio 610. Follow him on Twitter @brandonkscott.
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