The NFL announced Friday that Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing received a four-game suspension for violating its policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Cushing, the 2009 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, can practice with the team and play in preseason games. However, he will miss regular-season contests against the Indianapolis Colts (home), Washington Redskins (road), Dallas Cowboys (home) and Oakland Raiders (road). He'll be eligible to return for an Oct. 10 home game against the New York Giants.
"We were disappointed to learn that Brian has been suspended for the first four games of the 2010 season," Texans general manager Rick Smith said in a statement released by the team. "Brian is a productive member of our team and this is a significant loss, but we have to be prepared to win without him."
Cushing denied rumors of past steroid use while speaking with the media at the 2009 NFL Scouting Combine.
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"I don't understand where it is coming from," Cushing told NFL.com. "I was tested last December at USC and passed, one of several tests I have passed. I was tested this morning here at the combine and those results should be out in a couple of weeks to a month, I believe. I think people are trying to find something, anything, that would detract from what I have done on the field. You learn in life if it's not one thing, it's the other. I hope once I pass the test here that this will be put behind me. I'm really hoping for that."
An NFL general manager, requesting anonymity, said at the time: "We've been warned it is an issue and might have been one since high school. We are considering that. As unpleasant as it is, this is an issue with this player that only a negative test here is going to clear up right now. It's unfortunate, because no one wants to kill the kid, but the issue is a reality."
The Texans used a first-round draft pick (15th overall) on Cushing, who was voted the NFL's top defensive rookie after posting 134 tackles, four sacks, four interceptions and two forced fumbles. He helped Houston to a 9-7 record -- the first winning season in franchise history.
Cushing was a runaway winner in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league. Cushing received 39 votes, easily beating Buffalo Bills safety Jairus Byrd, who had six, and becoming the second Texans linebacker in four seasons to win the award. DeMeco Ryans took it in 2006.
Subject: Brian cushing suspended for using steriods 
Fri May 07, 2010 8:02 pm
