The NFL, after weighing the evidence, has decided to uphold the suspension of Texans linebacker Brian Cushing. He will miss the first four games of the season after elevated levels of HCG were found in a random screening. The league issued a statement:
The league issued the following statement: “At the request of Texans owner Bob McNair, Commissioner Goodell reviewed additional medical information presented on behalf of Brian Cushing. The club and Cushing were notified today that after carefully considering all the information, including a review by outside medical experts, the commissioner finds no basis for changing the decision and that Mr. Cushing’s suspension for the first four games of the regular season remains in place.”
Not a stunner. Tim at Battle Red Blog has theorized that McNair was only pushing this new evidence in the event that Cushing tests positive for the same syndrome again.
At any rate, the Texans are now officially without Cushing for the first four games, which will be home to Indianapolis, at Washington, home to Dallas and at Oakland. Darryl Sharpton has the momentum right now to replace Cushing in the starting eleven, but don’t be surprised if Danny Clark or Kevin Bentley get the call.