Houston Texans

Brian Cushing earns praise during Houston OTAs

Published Jun. 12, 2015 2:37 p.m. ET

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Coming off consecutive season-ending knee surgeries, Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing failed to make a major impact last year. As the team wraps up OTAs, his head coach believes Cushing is looking more like his old self.

Bill O'Brien singled out Cushing for his performance during the team's offseason program.

“He’s come back and he’s had a hell of an offseason,” O’Brien said, via the Houston Chronicle. “I mean, he’s moving well. He made a play (Friday) out there in a two-minute drill on a 20-yard pass, where he got back in coverage and he tipped the ball away and that was a big play. It was good for me to see that. He felt good about making that play.”

Cushing started 14 games and made 72 tackles in his first season back. He said now he's finally feeling the way he did prior to his pair of knee injuries. And this time, he's serious.

“I feel great,” Cushing said. “I can tell you that and mean it. I’ve said it before and not meant it. This is the best I’ve felt in a long time.”

Cushing had a combined 114 tackles with four sacks in two interceptions in 2011. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2009. A return to form would be a major boost to an already-imposing Houston defense featuring J.J. Watt and Vince Wilfork.

(h/t Houston Chronicle)

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