Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing missed out on most of the 2012 season after being injured on a hit to his knee from behind from Jets lineman Matt Slauson and now he is one player that is supporting a new rule that outlaws hits similar to the one that knocked him out for the year.
Cushing spoke on NFL Live on ESPN about his injury and his opinion on the rule that bans low blocks from behind, saying that it makes him feel better after what happened to him. Slauson his Cushing low and right on the back of his knee and he had no chance to react or protect himself before his ACL was torn. The Texans are hoping to have Cushing back to full strength after dealing with knee surgery, but he will miss the first round of offseason workouts with the team.
The Texans made the playoffs for the second straight season and Ed Reed will also be out while coming back from hip surgery. Reed is joining the team after years with the Ravens and a Super Bowl last season and he signed a three year deal with the team. Cushing is cleared by doctors, but the team is playing it safe to ensure that he is ready for training camp. Cushing added that he is expected to be back for training camp.
Blocks from the back have always been a problem in the NFL and the sight of Cushing's injury forced the NFL to act quickly, as the rule clearly would benefit the health and safety of the players and was not a detriment to the game whatsoever. Cushing now can go out onto the field and feel better that while the chance of injury is always there, he at least knows that play is now illegal in the game. The Texans are working on getting back to the playoffs and to the teams first Super Bowl.
