Bergen Catholic Grad, Houston Texans LB Brian Cushing Suspended 10 Games

Houston Texans linebacker, Brian Cushing has been suspended 10 games by the National Football League for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing substances.

This is the second time Cushing, a New Jersey native, has been suspended for using a banned-substance. In 2010, the Bergen Catholic High School grad was suspended four games after testing positive for HCG, a fertility drug.

Cushing was named the 2009 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year with the Texans after recording 86 tackles, 47 assists, four sacks, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and 10 passes defensed. Since then however, his career has been overrun by injuries and the two suspensions.

Losing Cushing is another blow to the Texans who were expected to have a top defense in 2017. The unit did not get off to a good start in Week One, getting beat up by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Cushing left that game with a concussion and was ruled out for the teams’ Week two road game in Cincinnati on Thursday.

The 10-game suspension will cost Cushing over $4 million. That amount could increase if Houston attempts to recoup any of his signing bonus. He will be eligible to return to Houston’s active roster on Nov. 28, prior to the team’s game that week against the Baltimore Ravens.