Texans LB Cushing gets 2nd PED ban
Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing has been suspended for 10 games by the NFL for violating the league’s performance enhancers policy.
It’s the second time Cushing has been suspended; he missed four games in 2010 under the same policy, testing positive for a fertility drug.
Cushing had won 2009 Defensive Rookie of the Year, an honor that was jeopardized by the suspension. He kept the award after a revote by The Associated Press’ awards panel.
Currently in the NFL’s concussion protocol after being injured in Houston’s opening loss to Jacksonville, Cushing will be eligible to return on Nov. 28.
Cushing has had a checkered career since his sensational rookie season. Injuries curtailed the 2012 and ’13 seasons, when he got into a total of 12 games. He’s never come close to matching his first-year production of 86 tackles, 47 assists, four sacks, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and 10 passes defensed.
Jason Day’s his caddie.
In a surprising move, Day said Wednesday he has parted ways with Colin Swatton for at least the rest of the year, though he will keep him as the only coach he has ever had.
It was the third split this year involving top players and their longtime caddies. Phil Mickelson and Jim “Bones” Mackay split after 25 years, while Rory McIlroy parted with J.P. Fitzgerald after nearly a decade.
“I never wanted it to turn into a toxic relationship,” Day said. “I was worried if I kept it going, it was going to head that way, and I love him too much to have him not in my life.”
Day was a 12-year-old in Australia who got caught up in drinking and fighting after his father died. His mother depleted the family savings and borrowed money to send him to Koralbyn International School in Queensland, where Swatton ran the golf program.
Swatton encountered a head-strong kid and helped him become a major champion and No. 1 in the world.
Day has fallen from No. 1 to No. 9 in the world ranking, and his FedEx Cup ranking of No. 28 means he is in jeopardy of not advancing to the Tour Championship for the first time in five years. longtime coach is no longer
The Canadian Football League is eliminating full-contact padded practices during the season and is extending its schedule to 21 weeks to help reduce the risk of injury.
Teams were previously allowed to hold a total of 17 padded practices following training camp.
In the NFL, clubs can have 11 padded practices over the first 11 weeks of the season, a maximum of one per week. After that, clubs can have three more padded practices for a total of 14.