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 |
Texans edge Bengals for wild-card win
Arian Foster ran for 140 yards and a TD, and the Texans used a stifling defense for a 19-13 win over the Bengals on Saturday.
Friday injury report for wild-card round
Here is the Friday injury report for the wild-card weekend, showing to what degree injured players participated in their teams' practices.
Key matchup: Texans DE J.J. Watt vs. Bengals O-line
The Bengals vs. Texans might be the least attractive matchup of wild-card weekend, but it's another chance to watch star DE J.J. Watt.
Thursday's wild-card injury report
The injury report report for this weekend's wild-card action, as released by the NFL.
Running the 'Card table: Tom Danyluk's wildcard predictions
PFW columnist Tom Danyluk breaks down the wild-card round action and offers his predictions.
Lewis, Pagano highlight emotional weekend
Three of this year's wild-card games are whoppers, with the two Sunday games appearing to be quite fascinating.
Texans place Sharpton on I.R.
The Texans placed ILB Darryl Sharpton on injured reserve because of a hip injury on Tuesday.
AFC South Spin cycle: Loss to Colts drops Texans to No. 3
The Colts sent the reeling Texans back to Houston as Chuck Pagano had a successful return to the sideline after three months away.
Colts top Texans in Pagano's return
Andrew Luck threw two TD passes to lead the Colts to a 28-16 victory over Houston in head coach Chuck Pagano's return.
Schaub pressing amid Houston's offensive funk
The Texans are a ball-control offense, but it still must start with QB Matt Schaub, who is pressing with his team mired in a funk at the worst possible time.
Bears sign S Nolan
The Bears signed S Troy Nolan, the team announced Wednesday. Chicago had an open roster spot after waiving WR Dane Sanzenbacher.
Week 17 playoff scenarios
Seeding is up for grabs in the AFC, while five teams fight for two spots in the NFC playoffs in Week 17.
AFC South Spin cycle: Colts' turnaround complete
The Colts punched their postseason ticket with a 20-13 win at Kansas City and the Texans continue to stumble late this season.
Vikings upset Texans 23-6
Christian Ponder threw a touchdown pass, Toby Gerhart added a score and Blair Walsh kicked three field goals in the Vikings' win over the Texans.
Texans' third-round rookies coming on strong
Third-round rookies DeVier Posey and Brandon Brooks are coming on at the right time for the Texans.
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.