Whitney Mercilus has said that being a starter for the Houston Texans this season is a new experience.

The linebacker started just four games during his rookie season, finishing the 2012 season with 25 tackles.

The 23-year-old told the team's website: "It's new for me because I was ready last year, but I wasn't used as much as a starter.

"Now I'm a starter and playing a lot more football. It's taxing on the body but I wouldn't have it any other way."

Mercilus has made eight tackles and one sack during the Texans' first two games of the 2013 campaign.