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It wasn't the triumphant return that Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus had envisioned.
During a 27-20 loss to the New England Patriots, Mercilus had a quiet game with two tackles, no sacks and no hits on quarterback Tom Brady.
It was his first game back from a hamstring injury that sidelined him during the preseason and his first time playing since a torn pectoral that ended his season last year.