Texans linebacker Whitney Mercilus has been cleared to return to the field from his pectoral injury, the player tells the Houston Chronicle’s John McClain. 
The pass-rushing linebacker had missed just two games in his first five seasons before suffering a torn pectoral muscle in the fifth game of the 2017 season vs. Kansas City. The injury forced him to miss the rest of the season.
“I got cleared about a month ago and I’m ready to rock and roll,” he said. “Despite the pec, having a year of recovery on the body, I feel fresh energized. I need somewhere to put this energy, so I can’t wait to put on the pads.”
With Mercilus and J.J. Watt fully healthy to go along with Jadeveon Clowney, the Texans have the makings of one of the top pass-rushing squads in 2018. The team’s ability to get after the passer was also a big reason why safety Tyrann Mathieu decided to sign with the team in free agency.