LB suspended
Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing (above) has been suspended for 10 games for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances, the team reported Wednesday. It’s the second time Cushing has been suspended.
Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing, the college star at Southern Cal, has been suspended by the NFL for 10 games, his team confirmed Wednesday.
The Texans PR staff tweeted out a statement from the NFL, which read, “Brian Cushing of the Houston Texans has been suspended without pay for the team’s next 10 games for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances.”
The tweet went on to say, “Cushing’s suspension begins immediately. He will be eligible to return to the Texans’ active roster on Tuesday, November 28, following the team’s November 27 game against the Baltimore Ravens.”
It’s the second time Cushing has been suspended; he missed four games in 2010 under the same policy. Cushing had won 2009 Defensive Rookie of the Year, an honor which was jeopardized by the suspension. He kept the award after a revote by The Associated Press’ awards panel.
Cushing is currently in the NFL’s concussion protocol after being injured in Houston’s opening loss to Jacksonville.
Drafted 15th overall in 2009 by the Texans, Cushing has long been dogged by rumors of steroid usage, going back to his high school and college days. Yet he is considered among the best high school players ever to come out of North Jersey, and his recruitment to USC was credited for opening up recruiting pipelines to California for other New Jersey players.