Sep 15, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing (56) stuffs Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson (28) on the one yard line during the second half at Reliant Stadium. The Texans won 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
The question I have for this Friday as the Houston Texans begin their sixth day of training camp is when will Brian Cushing and Louis Nix return to the field?
Feb 23, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Notre Dame nose tackle Louis Nix speaks to the media during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadum. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
Both players are on the “physically unable to perform” list and not much has been said about the return of either player.
Tania Ganguli of ESPN reminded us in an article on Thursday of the following:
"“If they are not activated before the start of Week 1 then they must remain on PUP for at least the first six weeks of the season.”"
Cushing is coming off his second leg injury (an LCL tear in ’13) in consecutive seasons, as he’s played in just a total of 12 games the past two seasons. Cushing didn’t make it past Week 7 in 2013. He was injured in Week 5 in ’12.
In those 12 games the past two years, Cushing has a total of 78 combined tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Not having Cushing on the field right now in camp is hurting the Texans for the regular season. Hopefully he’ll be able to recover from his injuries and get on the field just for the fact he’s a big part of their defense.
If Cushing isn’t on the field for the first six weeks of the season it will be a huge blow to the Texans’ defense, that I am certain.
As for Nix, his injury is “undisclosed” and is said to be minor.
These two players are supposed to be a big part of the improvement of the Houston defense that wasn’t very good last season, but they won’t be able to help if they aren’t able to make it off the PUP list by Week 1.
What are your thoughts on Cushing and Nix?
In other Texans news:
• Here is what the official Texans site wrote about the first week of camp.
• ESPN.com wrote about a Monday Night Football moment involving former Texans QB Matt Schaub as MNF is celebrating it’s 45 season. The headline described Schaub as a “hero to goat.”
• Sports Illustrated’s Extra Mustard enjoyed the comments of Arian Foster earlier this week.
• The Ultimate Texans site reported the Texans signed WR Joe Adams.
• Foster says the media is “full of propaganda” writes CSN Houston.