Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing suffered seemingly every injury imaginable over the past three seasons, but appears to be finally recovered from a myriad of ailments.
Cushing underwent three surgeries during the offseason, going through a procedure to fix a broken wrist and arthroscopic surgery on both knees.
In 2012, Cushing tore his ACL and in 2013 the linebacker broke his fibula. In spite of all these ailments, the 28-year-old believes he's in excellent shape.
"It feels really good to be getting my range back. I feel like myself again, explosive, play anywhere on the field," Cushing said to reporters Friday.
Cushing says Dr. told him could take 1-1.5 years to return to 100% after back-to-back knee surgeries. Feels explosive again this offseason.
— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) June 12, 2015
Cushing recorded 72 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble in 14 games with the Texans, despite playing through the majority of the season with a broken wrist. Entering his seventh season, Cushing hasn't played a full campaign since 2011, finishing all 16 games only twice in his career.
"It (two knee injuries) was devastating. Fortunately, I had a good support system. I feel way more confident and comfortable," Cushing said via John McClain of The Houston Chronicle.
Cushing said he was more comfortable with defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel's scheme going into 2015. Crennel is entering his second season as the team's defensive coordinator.
With Cushing returning to full health, the Texans defense will possess more options than to merely rely on reigning Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt, and the 27-year-old will certainly need to remain healthy if the team is to snap a two-year hiatus from the playoffs.
