Houston Texans Update: Brian Cushing to Move to Inside Linebacker

The Houston Texans returned to the practice field today as they got their preparations for the Indianapolis Colts underway. 

The players and coaches had taken the late parts of last week and the weekend as down time during their Week 7 bye. 

Back to work, coach Gary Kubiak announced that Brian Cushing will move to middle linebacker for the rest of the season. Cushing will replace all-pro linebacker DeMeco Ryans, who is done for the season with an Achilles injury. 

“I think it’s about leadership right now with our defense, and getting better as a group and somebody taking the group over,” Texans coach Gary Kubiak said on Monday. “We took all that into account, and No. 56 was the best guy to step in and lead our defense.”

Cushing got some experience playing middle linebacker at USC. 

Special teams captain Kevin Bentley will move to strongside linebacker. Xavier Adibi will be the back-up.

New Additions

Some pens were also put to paper at Reliant Stadium today. The Texans signed LB Stanford Keglar and DT Damione Lewis. 

Lewis has played 10 seasons with the Patriots, Panthers and Rams where he has accumulated 244 tackles and 22.5 sacks. 

Keglar played three years with the Titans. 

Getting Healthy

Kevin Bentley returned to practice today after missing three weeks while recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery. He will be ready to play on Monday. 

Rookie linebacker Daryl Sharpton who missed the Chiefs game due to injuries, also returned to practice on Monday. 

Linebacker Xavier Adibi, who started the four games Cushing missed to suspension, is still sidelined with a hamstring injury. Coach Kubiak expects he will be ready for Monday's contest in Indianapolis. 

Information gathered via Houstontexans.com.