Houston Owner Goes To Bat For LB Brian Cushing

Aug 08, 2010

Houston Texans owner Bob McNair is meeting with Roger Goodell on Monday to try to persuade the NFL commissioner to reduce or overturn linebacker Brian Cushing’s four-game suspension.

Cushing was suspended for the first four games this season because he violated the league’s policy against performance enhancing drugs by testing positive for HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), a banned substance that can be used to mask steroids.

A person with knowledge of Cushing’s situation said McNair will present new evidence to Goodell the owner hopes will shorten or eliminate the suspension that is costing the linebacker games against Indianapolis, Washington, Dallas and the New York Giants.

Goodell suspended Cushing. Goodell also rejected Cushing’s appeal in February.

Cushing, who is able to practice during training camp and play in preseason games, denied using hCG when the suspension was announced. He said he didn’t know how the substance got into his body.

Cushing has convinced his owner. McNair said recently that he backs Cushing and believes he’s innocent. McNair has paid for some of Cushing’s recent tests.

Neither McNair or Cushing could be reached Sunday.

Fantasy Impact:

If McNair can succeed, Houston's defense will be a lot stronger early in the season.

today

Cowboys "moving away" from RBBC, declaring Rico Dowdle No. 1 RB

Ed Werder

3 hours ago

Mike McCarthy moving away from running back by committee concept, declaring Rico Dowdle the No. 1 RB. “Rico needs to touch the ball,” he said.

Related Players: Ezekiel Elliott, Deuce Vaughn, Dalvin Cook, Hunter Luepke

Fantasy Impact:

This is great and all, but the Cooper Rush-led offense looked beyond miserable last week, and it's hard to see how it's going to get much better moving forward. Consider Dowdle a high-floor/low-ceiling RB3 in Week 11.

WR Jonathan Mingo set to make Cowboys debut in Week 11

Patrik Walker

4 hours ago

Jonathan Mingo is expected to make his debut for the Cowboys this week, per MM.

Mingo was inactive last week following the trade to allow time for ramping up.

Related Players: Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks

Fantasy Impact:

We wouldn't expect a ton of action from Mingo fantasy-wise, but it's not as if he has a murderer's row of talent standing between himself and a WR2 role. He can be left on waiver wires in most every format, but might be worth checking to see if he ended up on waiver wires in Dynasty leagues.

yesterday