The Houston Texans will reportedly release Brian Cushing prior to the start of the upcoming season. He's essentially a casualty of the franchise attempting to deal with its cap-space.
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The Texans have told ILB Brian Cushing that he'll be released sometime before the league year begins March 14. The emergence of second-year ILBs Zach
Cunningham and Dylan Cole made Cushing expendable. They'll save $7.64 milliion under the salary cap when he's released.— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) February 19, 2018
The 15th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, Cushing has spent his entire career with the Texans. He won Defensive Rookie of the Year out of the gate, was a two-time Second Team All-Pro, as well as a one-time Pro Bowl selection.
Having only played in four games last season, the talented linebacker has not seen 100-plus tackles in a season since the 2015 campaign. Furthermore, he's only accomplished that feat two other times, both coming in two of his first three years in the league. Basically, he's trending backward.
Last season, Cushing was suspended 10 games for violating the National Football League's PED policy.
Only 31, but with a seeming regression at hand, it will be interesting to see what he demands on the open market when the Texans officially release him from the roster.
As noted in the tweet above, Houston saves itself nearly $8 million in cap-space by hurling Cushing to the wayside. Given the timing of the expected cut, it is unlikely it will used for much other than to be sent toward incoming draft picks and maybe a role guy to fill out the roster.
