Despite being named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie and being named an All-Pro in 2011, it seems as if Brian Cushing has been remembered more for his injuries as of late.
In Week 5 of the 2012 season, Cushing suffered a torn ACL against the New York Jets after left guard Matt Slauson cut him from behind.
Upon his return the following year, Cushing didn’t disappoint. Before suffering an injury in the third quarter of the Chiefs game, Cushing had racked up 38 solo tackles, 31 defensive stops, and a sack. He also had earned a defensive run grade of +6.9, as well as an overall grade of +3.7.
If you compare those totals to Cushing’s All-Pro year in 2011, his last full season played, they are almost identical. Seven games into the 2011 season, Cushing had a total of 38 solo tackles, 25 defensive stops, and a sack. Cushing could have been on his way to another All-Pro year.
Then, seven games into the 2013 season, Cushing saw his season cut short once again as he suffered a torn LCL and a broken fibula in a Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Although the 2014 NFL season is still young, Cushing has gotten off to a slow start. So far, he’s only earned an overall grade of -0.8, has totaled eight solo-tackles and five defensive stops. That being said, Houston fans shouldn’t worry just yet. He’s a notorious slow starter; two games through the 2011 and 2013 season, Cushing earned overall grades of -2.0 and -1.0.
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