HOUSTON — The Texans asked the NFL to reduce or rescind the four-game suspension given to linebacker Brian Cushing on Monday, saying he has a unique medical condition stemming from something called overtrained athlete syndrome.
Cushing said the syndrome can trigger hormonal spikes after breaks in training, explaining why he would have tested positive for a fertility drug last September — a drug he said he never took.
“I think that’s the final diagnosis we came up with,” Cushing said, “and a lot of doctors have supported why this has happened.”
Texans owner Bob McNair met with commissioner Roger Goodell in New York to plead his case. Goodell said he’s open-minded about reconsidering the case.
“As you know in the medical profession, there are rarely absolutes and there are varying opinions,” Goodell said. “We want to make sure we listen to all the experts and understand all the facts.”
Jets reject offer from Revis
CORTLAND, N.Y. — The Jets rejected the latest offer proposed by all- pro cornerback Darrelle Revis’ agents, and owner Woody Johnson is not optimistic a deal can get done before the regular season.
“The answer’s no,” Johnson said tersely.
Revis, scheduled to make $1 million in the fourth year of a six-year contract, is seeking a deal better than the three-year, $45.3 million extension Oakland’s Nnamdi Asomugha signed last offseason.
Revis is being fined $16,523 for each day he misses, meaning he is already out $148,707. By sitting out, he also waived a clause in his contract that would have guaranteed him $20 million over the last two years of his deal.
Harvin’s return uncertain
MANKATO, Minn. — The Vikings are still missing wide receiver Percy Harvin, and the coaching staff is unsure when he will return.
Harvin was absent again Monday, eight days after the death of his grandmother. He has missed 15 consecutive practices, but coach Brad Childress declined to express concern about the length of his leave.
“The thing that I’ve learned is that everybody grieves differently. That’s just the facts. You’ve got to be able to respect that,” Childress said.
As for the star of missing stars, Childress said he text-messaged quarterback Brett Favre in the morning but gained no new insight about his status.
Haynesworth finishes practice
ASHBURN, Va. — Albert Haynesworth returned to work as a $100 million backup, working at second- string nose tackle in his first full practice at this year’s Redskins training camp.
Haynesworth put on his No. 92 jersey and blended with his teammates, usually lining up between defensive ends Phillip Daniels and Darrion Scott as he ramps up his education in the team’s new 3-4 defense.
Coach Mike Shanahan lived up to his word that Haynesworth would not be plugged in immediately with the starters.
“Albert obviously has come in late,” Shanahan said, “and he’s going to have to compete to win a position.”
Footnotes.
John Phillips, the No. 3 tight end for the Cowboys last season as a rookie, is out for the season after tests confirmed he tore the ACL in his right knee in Sunday’s preseason opener.
• Giants safety Kenny Phillips returned to practice for the first time since undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee in September.
• 49ers coach Mike Singletary said rookies Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati have won starting jobs along the team’s offensive line.
• Bills fullback Corey McIntyre (leg) and backup receiver Felton Huggins (shoulder) left practice because of injuries.
• Colts reserve defensive lineman John Gill isn’t expected to play for the team this season after a public intoxication arrest over the weekend. The Associated Press
