HOUSTON — Texans linebacker Brian Cushing was suspended for four games on Friday for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
The 2009 Defensive Rookie of the Year will miss the first four games of the upcoming season and be eligible to return during the week of Oct. 4. The Texans play Indianapolis, Washington, Dallas and Oakland during his suspension.
Cushing can participate in preseason practices and games.
"We were disappointed to learn that Brian has been suspended for the first four games of the 2010 season," Houston general manager Rick Smith said in a statement. "Brian is a productive member of our team and this is a significant loss, but we have to be prepared to win without him."
Cushing, the 15th overall pick in last year's draft out of USC, had 133 tackles in 2009.
Notes
• Indianapolis Colts rookie cornerback Kevin Thomas injured his knee during practice last weekend, and the third-round draft pick could miss the entire 2010 season.
The Colts issued a release saying Thomas was hurt during Sunday's final practice, which was closed to the media. The team did not provide details of the injury but did say Thomas has been scheduled for surgery.
It's a big blow to the USC alum. But it could be an even bigger blow to the Colts, who must fill the void left by Marlin Jackson's departure. Jackson, the Colts' first-round pick in 2005, signed with Philadelphia as a free agent in March.
• Albert Haynesworth was absent again when the Washington Redskins opened their second voluntary minicamp under new coach Mike Shanahan.
The two-time All-Pro defensive tackle remains unhappy with the Redskins' switch to a 3-4 defense and would prefer to be traded. He has also irked Shanahan by working with his own trainer and staying away from all of the team's voluntary offseason conditioning sessions.
Haynesworth, who has been paid $32 million of the $41 million guaranteed in the contract he signed with the team last year, stayed away from the first minicamp last month in hopes the team would trade him, possibly for draft picks.
• The owner of the Tennessee Titans has joined with the NFL and the NFL Players Association in giving $400,000 to the American Red Cross and a Tennessee group to help the state recover from floods that killed at least 31 people in three states.
Owner Bud Adams decided to donate $200,000 from his Titans Foundation and encouraged the league and the players union to match his gift.
