Brian Cushing Injury to Test Texans

Added on Oct 10, 2012 by Scott in

NFL

The season-ending ACL injury to Texans linebacker Brian Cushing has put a damper on the team’s 5-0 start. Replacing their defensive leader will present a major challenge, especially now that DeMeco Ryans and Mario Williams are playing elsewhere in 2012. Cushing led the team in tackles with 29, while adding one interception and one forced fumble. Statistical impact aside, his presence in the locker room will be sorely missed.

Unproven Mister Davenport and veteran Tim Dobbins will be called upon to help fill the void. However, the signing of Barret Ruud could end up being a significant move. Ruud was active for three games with the Saints this season, but failed to see much action and didn’t record a tackle before being released.

Ruud was an integral part of the Bucs defense from 2007-2010, notching 100-plus tackles in each season with five sacks and six interceptions. If he can regain some of that form, the Texans will be okay at linebacker. However, he was slow to recover from a lingering groin injury while a member of the Titans in 2011, and at 29, has shown signs of slowing down.

If Ruud doesn’t pan out, the Texans will be left scrambling a bit. The pressure on second-year OLB Brooks Reed will increase, and Connor Barwin must pull out of his early season funk. In addition, J.J. Watt and Johnathan Joseph will be tasked to provide much needed leadership on a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

Cushing’s value cannot be underestimated. He was the team MVP in 2011 and was named first-team All Pro after amassing 114 tackles, four sacks and a pair of picks. He also added 19 stops in the playoffs, proving his worth as a big game performer.

Houston has a lot of season left and plenty of time to adjust. The loss of Cushing represents their first obstacle to overcome. It will be interesting to see how they respond.