Brian Cushing suspended 10 games by NFL for violating PED policy

Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing on Wednesday was suspended 10 games by the NFL for violating the league policy on performance enhancing drugs, the league announced.

The ninth-year pro out of USC won’t be eligible to return to the Texans’ roster until Nov. 28, one day after Houston’s Week 12 game against the Baltimore Ravens. The next game Cushing will be able to play is Dec. 3, when the Texans visit the Tennessee Titans.

"Brian Cushing regretfully announces he has been suspended for 10 games commencing on September 13, 2017. In so doing, he is aware of the negative impact he has had on his team and most important his fans,” Cushing’s attorney Harvey Steinberg said in a statement, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. “It is with the deepest remorse that he humbly apologizes to his fans, teammates and coaches. After consulting with his attorney and agent, he felt that rather than dragging the appellate process out, this would be the best way to proceed."‬

Cushing had one tackle in the Texans’ Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he left the game with a concussion. He did not participate in practice on Monday.

This is the second career PED suspension for Cushing, who served four games to open the 2010 season.