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Friday was a whirlwind day at Reliant Stadium. The Texans held a meet-and-greet with Bill O’Brien and several VIP’s and suite holders, and the new head coach then met with the media. O’Brien also got some face time with linebacker Brian Cushing, who continues to rehab from a knee injury he suffered in the Week 7 loss at Kansas City. The defensive captain enjoyed meeting O’Brien, and shared his excitement with the press.

“I’m fired up for a lot of reasons,” Cushing said. “To get back healthy. To play again. And to play for Coach O’Brien. I think things are looking up. A lot of us are excited and just looking forward to the future.”

Cushing and center Chris Myers were just a couple of players that O’Brien was in front of in his first 24 hours or so in Houston. Defensive end J.J. Watt stopped by the stadium on Thursday for an introduction, and safety Danieal Manning also met the new man in charge. Cushing, like several players, is now in the training room at Reliant Stadium on a daily basis. He described how his return to form is coming, after the tibial plateau fracture and torn LCL that happened on October 20.

“It’s going well,” Cushing said. “I probably have about another month-and-a-half, two months, until I’m 100%. So I definitely have to work a little bit. But I’m looking forward to it.”

In the first seven games he played this season, Cushing tallied 48 tackles, six tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and returned an interception for a touchdown in the win at San Diego. As it was in 2012, though, his season was ended by injury in the month of October.

While Cushing acknowledged that the rehab is “tough”, he said he could see some positives in the adversity he’s trying to overcome.

“It’s one of those things that will only make me stronger in the long run,” Cushing said. “I’ll just be more appreciative when it’s time to play again.”

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