The Houston Texans announced on Wednesday that starting linebacker Brian Cushing has been suspended 10 games for violating the NFL’s policy against performance enhancing drugs (PEDs).
The NFL has released the following statement on @HoustonTexans ILB Brian Cushing: pic.twitter.com/2MV61Oqp7I
— Houston Texans PR (@TexansPR) September 13, 2017
This is now the second time that the former USC standout and NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year has been suspended for violating the NFL’s PED policy.
Cushing started the team’s Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars but had to exit after suffering a concussion. The former Pro Bowler was one of seven players officially listed as out for Thursday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals (more on that here).
He’ll obviously be out for a lot longer than that.
Once one of the better young defensive players in the game, one has to wonder if Cushing’s career has run its course. You simply can’t continue to make the same mistakes that plagued you earlier in your career without facing the consequences. Wednesday’s suspension is just the latest example of this.
Prior to Week 1, Cushing had started all 100 games in which he’s appeared as a member of the Texans since being selected No. 15 overall back in 2009.