Houston Texans: Top 30 moments in team history

Oct 18, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Houston Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing (56) looks on during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

23. Brian Cushing returning from back to back knee injuries

Another great moment in 2014 was the return of one of the Texans’ defensive leaders, inside linebacker Brian Cushing. The former first round pick hit a terrible string of bad luck by suffering back-to-back season ending knee injuries.

After managing to play five games in 2012 and only seven in 2013 the team was cautiously optimistic about his return to action in O’Brien’s first year. That optimism was met with good results as the fan favorite Cushing was back on the field for 14 games that year.

Cushing wasn’t his normal self all year, but started to look more like the explosive player the team selected out of USC in 2009. On the year he recorded 72 tackles while knocking down two passes.

At the halfway point in 2015 Cushing looks even more like himself as he has 69 tackles and two pass deflections in just eight games. The results have been amazing for a guy who suffered two gruesome injuries.

The linebacker moves with ease now, with no sign of long-term issues from his 2012 ACL tear or his 2013 LCL tear which was coupled with a fractured fibula.

Next: Moment in history, number 22