The Houston Texans got a win in their first game of the 2016 season, but the first defensive series of the game proved costly for them. Linebacker Brian Cushing sustained a sprained MCL on the drive, and he'll be out for the next four to six weeks while he heals.
Cushing has sprained MCL, which is a partial tear. He was not carted off the field. He walked off the field. Out 4 to 6 weeks. No surgery.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) September 11, 2016
"Anytime you lose basically the heart and soul of your defense, Brian is a heart and soul type of player," Texans coach Bill O'Brien said after the game, per the Houston Chronicle. "I'm not sure how long he'll be out, but hopefully he'll be back at some point."
Here's a video of O'Brien talking about Cushing and his backup, Max Bullough, who will likely be expected to fill in for however long Cushing remains sidelined:
#KHOU#TEXANS Coach Bill O'Brien discusses losing Brian Cushing to knee injury & Max Bullough filling in... pic.twitter.com/9GgKDhdkKs
— Matt Musil (@KHOUSportsMatt) September 11, 2016
As the Chronicle noted, the injury was to Cushing's right knee. He previously tore his left ACL in 2012 and broke his left leg and tore his fibular collateral ligament in 2013.
Cushing led the Texans in tackles last season, the first one in which he had played all 16 games since 2011.
