Whitney Mercilus

Texans encourage LB Mercilus to leave comfort zone on right side

Published Nov. 9, 2015 2:33 a.m. ET

foxsports

Filling in for an injured Jadeveon Clowney in Houston's 20-6 win over the Tennessee Titans on Nov. 1, Texans linebacker Whitney Mercilus recorded a career-high 3 1/2 sacks.

“Of course, I’m probably a little more comfortable on the right side, which it shows,” Mercilus said, per the Houston Chronicle. “But I still try and get work on the left side and just try and be as comfortable as I can be."

Clowney, who injured his lower back against the Titans, isn't expected to be out long term. That means Mercilus figures to return to the left side of the defense. The challenge for Texans linebackers coach Mike Vrabel is to get Mercilus and Clowney to be productive, no matter where they line up.

“I think some guys are comfortable different places," Vrabel said. "Just because both of those guys have predominately played on the right side, I don’t think that is necessarily their strongest position.

“I try to tell them the left tackles are the ones that make the most money, so if it were me, I’d try to rush somewhere other than the best player on the offense. That was always my theory. I think, hopefully, they can buy into that. We just have to continue to find out who gives us the best chance to win on first down, second down and third down.”

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Whitney Mercilus

Jadeveon Clowney

Houston Texans

National Football League