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