Houston Texans
Brian Cushing - #56 - LB
| Status | Active |
| Height/Weight | 6' 3"/ 255 lbs. |
| Birthday | 01/24/1987 |
| Birthplace | Park Ridge, NJ |
| College | USC |
| Years played | 5 |
| Drafted | 2009, 1st round, 15th pick by Texans |
2012 STATS
| Tack | FF | Int |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 1 | 1 |
The First Fifteen: Week 12
Previewing the three terrific Turkey Day games; the crucial Giants-Saints Monday-nighter; Matt Leinart's first start for the Texans; and much more.
Texans' Leinart has great weapons, coaching working in his favor
Texans new starting QB Matt Leinart has not attempted a regular-season pass in more than two years, but we hear he is in a great position to succeed.
Beware the Ides of November?
Matt Leinart is getting a second chance to prove he belongs in the NFL, but Tom Danyluk reminds us that November has not been friendly terrain for the Texans.
QB Leinart gets his chance with Texans in need
When the Texans return from their bye next week, Matt Leinart will have a first-place team to lead now that Matt Schaub is out indefinitely.
The First Fifteen: Week 11
Taking an early look at the Week 11 contests of note, including Falcons-Titans, Bengals-Ravens, Eagles-Giants and plenty more.
Report: Texans QB Schaub done for the season
Texans head coach Gary Kubiak announced that Matt Leinart will start at quarterback in Week 12, as Matt Schaub will reportedly miss the rest of the season with a foot injury.
Schaub, Texans have no trouble with Bucs
Matt Schaub threw for two long touchdowns to help the AFC South-leading Houston Texans beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 37-9.
Texans thrilled with FB Vickers
Texans FB Lawrence Vickers and the Houston rushing attack was so good in James Casey's absence that Vickers has taken over the starting job.
The First Fifteen: Week 10
We take an early look at a huge AFC North tussle, another big one in the NFC South and all the rest of the best action in Week 10.
Too much Foster, Tate for Browns
Arian Foster rushed for 124 yards, Ben Tate ran for 115 and both scored touchdowns in the Texans' 30-12 win over the Browns.
Browns-Texans matchup of the day: Saturday
Here's a matchup to watch in Sunday's Browns-Texans game.
Texans ILB Ryans will resume greater workload
Texans ILB DeMeco Ryans will be tested following the season-ending quad injury to reserve Darryl Sharpton.
Browns-Texans matchup of the day: Thursday
Here's a matchup to watch in Sunday's Browns-Texans game.
Browns-Texans matchup of the day: Wednesday
Here's a matchup to watch in Sunday's Browns-Texans game.
PLAYER NEWS
Cushing is turning his focus to his recovery in the wake of a season-ending knee injury.|||||||
Cushing, Houston's leading tackler, was hurt in the Texans' 23-17 win over the New York Jets on Monday night on a low, rolling hit by guard Matt Slauson. He was placed on injured reserve with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. A first-round draft pick in 2009, Cushing has no timetable for his return, saying that he's going to "be smart" about it.
Cushing is out for the season with a torn ligament in his left knee. Cushing was hurt in the second quarter of the Texans' 23-17 win over the New York Jets on a low block by guard Matt Slauson. Cushing walked off the field on his own, but didn't return.|||||||
Coach Gary Kubiak said Tuesday that Cushing has a torn anterior cruciate ligament and will need surgery. Tim Dobbins moved into Cushing's spot in the lineup, and finished with four tackles and a pass deflection.
Cushing hurt his left knee in Monday night's 23-17 victory over the New York Jets and coach Gary Kubiak said he is "very concerned" about it. Several Texans also worried that Cushing's injury could be long-term.|||||||
Cushing left in the second quarter and the team said he will not return to the game. Cushing led the Texans with 38 sacks entering the game. He was the 2009 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Cushing has rejoined the Houston Texans, ending his four-game NFL suspension, and coach Gary Kubiak says he'll play in Sunday's game against the New York Giants.|||||||
Cushing was not available for comment Monday. The Texans return to practice Wednesday. Kubiak says Cushing will go through an individual workout on Tuesday. Cushing, last year's Defensive Rookie of the Year, was suspended in May for testing positive for HCG, a fertility drug that's on the NFL's banned substances list. HCG can be used to mask steroid use.
Cushing says his positive test for a fertility drug was the result of overtraining. Cushing is suspended for the first four games this season after testing positive last September for HCG, a drug on the league's banned substance list. Cushing says he never took the drug, which can be used to restart testosterone production after a steroid cycle, and has no idea how it got into his body.|||||||
Cushing worked out with his team on Monday morning. He says doctors have told him that the failed drug test resulted from "overtraining athlete syndrome," a condition that he says can trigger hormonal spikes. Texans owner Bob McNair flew to New York on Monday to meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in hopes of getting Cushing's punishment reduced. The league denied Cushing's appeal of the suspension in February.
