AFC South Blog: Cushing Suspended for 4 games

by Bill Young

LB Brian Cushing of the Houston Texans was suspended for 4 games after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. This loss will be tough for the Texans to overcome as Darnell Bing will have big shoes to fill during the beginning of the season.
The timing could not be worse as the Texans face the Redskins, Raiders, Cowboys and Colts in their first 4 games. All of these teams figure to run the ball or test the linebackers in other ways. The Colts will use short passes to take advantage of the void over the middle while the Cowboys, Redskins, and Raiders will run the ball frequently to wear down the Texans' star DE Mario Williams. The Texans would be fortunate to emerge from these first 4 games at 2-2. If the Texans do worse than 2-2, they most likely will miss the playoffs given their loaded schedule against the NFC East and always tough AFC South divisional rivals.