Whitney Mercilus
FILE - Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) is sacked by Houston Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Houston. Outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus says he’s retiring, ending a 10-year career in which he recorded 58 sacks. Mercilus announced his decision Wednesday, April 6, 2022, via Instagram. (AP Photo/Sam Craft, File)
Former Texans, Packers veteran OLB Whitney Mercilus retiring

By The Associated Press Apr. 06, 2022 03:15 PM EDT

FILE- In this Dec. 13, 2020, file photo, Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) plays against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit. Smith is practicing again and could return for the playoffs after missing nearly the entire regular season. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Packers activate Za'Darius Smith, Whitney Mercilus from IR

Jan. 21, 2022 04:31 PM EST

FILE -San Francisco 49ers running back Trey Sermon, middle, runs for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. The Packers and 49er meet Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022.(AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn, File)
Familiar playoff foes face off again as Packers host 49ers

By The Associated Press Jan. 21, 2022 11:21 AM EST

FILE -Chicago Bears' Devin Hester (23) stiff-arms Houston Texans' Whitney Mercilus (59) during a punt return during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, in Chicago. Devin Hester is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2022.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
Texans-Bears 11/11/2012

Dec. 30, 2021 06:09 PM EST

FILE - Houston Texans owner Bob McNair watches from the sidelines before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Houston. Over the past 100 years, around 110 men and a handful of women have owned controlling portions of NFL teams. Of that select group, all but two have been white. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File)
Bengals-Texans 12/24/2016

Dec. 03, 2021 11:09 AM EST

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton celebrates after a touchdown pass against the Washington Football Team during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
The Latest: Cardinals win again, own NFL's best record

By The Associated Press Nov. 21, 2021 11:47 AM EST

Green Bay Packers' Whitney Mercilus sacks Seattle Seahawks' Russell Wilson during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Packers place OLB Whitney Mercilus on injured reserve

Nov. 16, 2021 05:30 PM EST

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) is helped up after being hurt on a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Young, Watt leave with injuries, Mayfield limps off field

By The Associated Press Nov. 14, 2021 08:01 PM EST

Workers put salt in the seating bowl at Lambeau Field before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers 11/14/2021

Nov. 14, 2021 02:03 PM EST

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks for a call as Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) makes the tackle during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Packers won 24-21. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Injuries keep piling up along with victories for Packers

By Steve Megargee Oct. 29, 2021 06:33 PM EDT

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) scores a touchdown as Houston Texans outside linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (51) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Murray vs. Rodgers highlight of Packers-Cardinals showdown

By David Brandt Oct. 27, 2021 04:46 PM EDT

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner celebrates a 37-14 win over the Cleveland Browns in an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Watt, D-Hop face old team when unbeaten Cards host Texans

By David Brandt Oct. 21, 2021 03:58 PM EDT

FILE - Houston Texans defensive end Whitney Mercilus walks off the field after a 31-21 loss to the Cleveland Browns in an NFL football game in Cleveland, in this Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, file photo. The Green Bay Packers on Thursday, Oct. 21, signed veteran outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus in hopes of boosting not only their pass rush but their championship hopes. A first-round pick by the Houston Texans in 2012, Mercilus had 57 sacks in nine-plus seasons. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Packers sign former Texans outside linebacker Mercilus

By Bill Huber Oct. 21, 2021 02:50 PM EDT

Texans release veteran defensive end Mercilus

Oct. 20, 2021 03:29 PM EDT
HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans have released veteran defensive end Whitney Mercilus. He was the 26th overall pick in the 2012 draft and...

Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks (13) catches a pass under pressure from Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White (27) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Patriots look to extend success against rookie QBs at Texans

By The Associated Press Oct. 07, 2021 02:51 PM EDT

FILE - Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) walks onto the field prior to the start of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Cleveland, in this Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, file photo. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski did not rule out Beckham for Sunday's game against Chicago, clearing the way for the star wide receiver to make his season debut and return from knee surgery. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin, File)
Houston Texans at Cleveland Browns 9/19/2021

Sep. 22, 2021 01:49 PM EDT

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) sacks Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) and forces a fumble that the Cardinals recovered in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Titans' Lewan: Bad day due to worrying more about messing up

By Teresa M. Walker Sep. 16, 2021 06:37 PM EDT

Jags' No. 1 overall pick Lawrence to make debut at Texans

By The Associated Press Sep. 09, 2021 01:19 PM EDT
JACKSONVILLE (1-15) at HOUSTON (4-12) Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, CBS OPENING LINE: Jaguars by 2.5, according to FanDuel...

FILE - Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) blocks during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Inglewood, Calif., in this Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, file photo. The Broncos declined Bolles’ fifth-year option in 2020 but by November had given him a $68 million, four-year extension. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit, FIle)
Fifth-year options are a good measure of NFL draft classes

By Arnie Stapleton May. 14, 2021 05:18 PM EDT

FILE - Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock, center, jokes with backup quarterbacks Jeff Driskel, left, and Brett Rypien during an NFL football practice in Englewood, Colo., in this Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, file photo. The Broncos activated three quarterbacks—starter Lock and backups Rypien and Blake Bortles—from the COVID-19 list Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, to insure that the team will not be without quarterbacks on the roster for the game against the Chiefs in Kansas City on Sunday as the Broncos were last Sunday when hosting the New Orleans Saints. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
The virus's toll: How 32 NFL teams have been hit by COVID-19

By The Associated Press Dec. 04, 2020 04:32 PM EST