Brian Cushing Injury: Updates on Texans Star's Knee and Return

Updates from Sunday, Nov. 16

Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle confirms Brian Cushing is active for Week 11:

Updates from Thursday, Nov. 13

The Houston Texans provide comments from head coach Bill O'Brien, who spoke about Brian Cushing's recovery: 

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle has an update on Cushing's status: 

"

Inside inebacker Brian Cushing and outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney are expected to play against Cleveland, but running back Arian Foster is “definitely day-to-day,” according to coach Bill O’Brien.

[...]

Cushing missed the last two games because of the soreness that had reduced his speed and mobility. 

"

Cushing later discussed his status for Week 11, via McClain:

Updates from Wednesday, Nov. 12 

Deepi Sidhu of HoustonTexans.com provides an update on Brian Cushing's status from head coach Bill O'Brien:

Updates from Sunday, Nov. 2

The Houston Texans have ruled Brian Cushing as inactive for Sunday, via Tania Ganguli of ESPN:

Earlier, ProFootballTalk reported the pregame expectation for Cushing's status for today's game:

Updates from Friday, Oct. 31

Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle has an update on Brian Cushing's official status:

Drew Doughty of Texans.com has an update on Brian Cushing's status for Sunday's game:

Updates from Monday, Oct. 27

Bill O'Brien spoke about Brian Cushing's status heading into Week 9, via Tania Ganuli of ESPN:

Updates from Sunday, Oct. 26

Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com reported on Brian Cushing's status for today's game vs. Tennessee:

Updates from Friday, Oct. 24

Tania Ganguli of ESPN reported on Brian Cushing's comments on his injury:

Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle added more from the linebacker:

Deepi Sidhu of Texans.com noted that Cushing has taken time to realize he needs more rehab on his knee:

Sidhu also provided head coach Bill O'Brien's thoughts regarding Cushing's status:

Cushing was later ruled as questionable for Sunday, via Mark Berman of Fox 26:

Updates from Thursday, Oct. 23

Bill O'Brien spoke on Brian Cushing's status for Sunday vs. Tennessee, via Mark Berman of Fox 26:

Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle had more on Cushing:

Original Text

When the Houston Texans try to break their three-game losing streak in Week 8 against the Tennessee Titans, they'll be without linebacker Brian Cushing. And the damage could potentially be even worse.

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported that a lingering knee injury will keep Cushing out for Sunday's game at a minimum:

Florio explained that Cushing could potentially return in Week 11, the week after Houston's bye. The Texans' belief is that time away from the field will help his knee return to 100 percent or something close to that. The concern is heightened because it's the same knee in which he suffered a torn ACL in 2012 and broken fibula and torn LCL last year.

Bleacher Report's Cian Fahey thinks the news makes sense given Cushing's performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night:

"

Makes sense that Cushing is struggling with a knee issue. He looked like he wasn't a professional athlete against PIT.

— Cian O'Fathaigh (@Cianaf) October 23, 2014"

Through seven games, Cushing is first on the Texans in combined tackles, with 54. He also has a sack. Houston ranks 26th in yards allowed per game (387.3) and 11th in points allowed per game (21.4). According to Football Outsiders, the team ranks 15th in defensive DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average).

For as long as Cushing's out, the Texans will be hard-pressed to continue that kind of production.

From the player's perspective, it's another injury piled on top of a career full of them. He missed 20 games between 2012 and 2013. Cushing showed a lot of promise in his rookie season, and in order to get back to that kind of level, he'll need to stay on the field for a sustained period of time.