Sunday morning was a success for Brian Cushing.
"Stayed alive," the inside linebacker said. "Didn't sweat too bad. I think it was a pretty good day for the defense."
The Texans kicked off their 2016 training camp with a two-hour practice outside at the Houston Methodist Training Center. For Cushing, it's his eighth training camp as a professional, and the veteran looked spry from the first whistle to the final horn to end practice.
"By this time of your career you figure out what works for you and what doesn't," Cushing said. "The best things for recovery. How your body works. Especially getting older too, as well. Just trying to train harder, but also smarter."
Responsible for the play calls and helping get his teammates in the right spot before the snap, Cushing stressed the importance of clear communication. Because of his experience, there's also some teaching involved.
"It's a little bit of both," Cushing said. "It's more off-the-field that I'll be teaching. But on-field there's a lot of communication. Certain instances that we'll talk about later, inside the room. Inside the building. Especially this time of year, there's a lot of learning."
Cushing is one of 10 starters returning on the defensive side of the ball. He said he's "very excited for this upcoming season".
The Texans practice again on Monday morning at the Houston Methodist Training Center.
The Houston Texans roster in photos. (Updated 2/23/2021)
ILB, Tyrell Adams #50
TE, Jordan Akins, 88
DT, Auzoyah Alufohai, #98
P, Bryan Anger, 9
CB, Cornell Armstrong, 30
C/G, Beau Benzschawel #62
DT, Ross Blacklock #90
ILB, Curtis Bolton #47
DT, Andrew Brown, #97
TE Pharaoh Brown #85
C, Cohl Cabral #72
WR, Randall Cobb #18
ILB, Dylan Cole, 51
CB, Gareon Conley, 22
WR, Brandin Cooks #13
WR, Isaiah Coulter #82
WR, Keke Coutee, 16
CB, Keion Crossen, 35
ILB, Zach Cunningham, 41
DE, Brandon Dunn, 92
OLB, Duke Ejiofor, 53
ILB, Kyle Emanuel, 56
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, 7
TE, Darren Fells, 87
CB, Mark Fields II #39
G, Hjalte Froholdt #77
OL, Zach Fulton, 73
CB, Phillip Gaines #29
FB, Cullen Gillaspia, 44
OLB, Jonathan Greenard #52
ILB, Nate Hall, 48
NT, P.J. Hall #96
WR, Chad Hansen, #17
CB, Vernon Hargreaves III #26
T, Charlie Heck #67
RB, Dontrell Hilliard, #22
OL, Tytus Howard, 71
RB, Buddy Howell, 38
RB, David Johnson #31
RB, Duke Johnson, 25
CB, Lonnie Johnson, Jr., 32
T, Roderick Johnson #63
LS, Anthony Kukwa #45
LB, Jacob Martin, 54
C, Nick Martin, 66
QB, AJ McCarron #2
QB, Josh McCown, 3
LB, Benardrick McKinney, 55
OLB, Whitney Mercilus, 59
WR, Steven Mitchell, Jr., 11
S, A.J. Moore, 33
S Eric Murray #23
DE, Charles Omenihu, 94
S, Jonathan Owens, 36
RB, Scottie Phillips, #40
G/T Brent Qvale #76
WR, Damion Ratley, #19
CB, John Reid #34
S, Justin Reid, 20
OLB, Brennan Scarlett, 57
OL, Max Scharping, 74
S, Michael Thomas #28
NT, Eddie Vanderdoes, 95
TE, Kahale Warring, 81
DL, Carlos Watkins, 91
QB, Deshaun Watson, 4
LS, Jon Weeks #46
