Packers sign former Texans outside linebacker Mercilus

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) – The Green Bay Packers 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. He has three sacks this season, but only one season of eight-plus sacks in his career.

That was 2015, when he had 12. The Texans released the 31-year-old Mercilus this week.