HOUSTON — Texans linebacker Brian Cushing was suspended for four games 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 Southern California, had 133 tackles in 2009. The Texans finished 9-7 last season for their first winning record, thanks in part to the improvement of a young defense that features Cushing and DeMeco Ryans.
Haynesworth a no-show.
Albert Haynesworth was absent again Friday when Washington opened its second voluntary minicamp under new coach Mike Shanahan. The two-time all-pro defensive tackle is unhappy with the Redskins’ switch to a 3-4 defense and would prefer to be traded.
Shanahan said last month that Haynesworth “will not be traded.”
Taylor denies charges.
A federal prosecutor says the government is investigating leads that Rasheed Davis, who is accused of setting up Lawrence Taylor with a 16-year-old runaway, had forced other young women into prostitution.
Davis is being held without bail on a charge of sex trafficking of a child.
Taylor, 51, was charged with third-degree rape and patronizing a prostitute. His lawyer, Arthur Aidala, has denied the charges.
Footnotes.
Rookie Colts cornerback Kevin Thomas has a knee injury that will require surgery and could force him to miss the 2010 season.
• The Cardinals have signed fullback Charles Ali to a one-year contract.
The Associated Press
