HOUSTON – The Houston Texans have extended the contract of ILB Brian Cushing the team announced today. Terms of the contract extension were not disclosed.
Drafted by Houston in 2009 with the 15th overall pick, Cushing has started all 49 games he's played since joining the Texans. He has 366 tackles in his career and led the team in tackles in 2009 and 2011. He also has 9.5 career sacks, seven interceptions, 21 passes defensed, six forced fumbles and one safety. The two-time Associated Press Second-Team All-Pro has served as the captain of the defense since 2011.
Cushing was the team's leading tackler through the first four weeks of 2012 with 38 tackles, a forced fumble and an interception before missing the final 11 games of the 2012 season after suffering a season-ending ACL injury vs. the New York Jets in Week 5.
Cushing was voted as the Texans' Most Valuable Player by his teammates in a resurgent 2011 season. He led the NFL's second-ranked defense with 114 total tackles, had two interceptions, was fourth on the team with 14 quarterback hits and had four sacks. Cushing led or tied for the team lead in tackles in 12 games.
Cushing burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2009 with a team-leading 134 tackles. That total tied him with Baltimore LB Ray Lewis for the most in the AFC that year. Additionally, Cushing tied for the team lead in interceptions and was second on the team with 5.0 sacks and 10 passes defensed earning him Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and selection to his first career Pro Bowl.
