Texans linebacker Brian Cushing is playing better than just about any defender in the NFL and is the driving force behind Houston’s vastly improved defense. He joined the Cover Two Podcast to discuss his strong start.

The Texans struggled on defense last season, surrendering the fourth-most points (26.7 per game) in the NFL, and that led to two key changes.

If Texans owner Bob McNair is passionate about anything, it’s building a team of players full of passion.

Eagles WR DeSean Jackson exchanged barbs in the media with former Eagles QB Donovan McNabb last week. Now, according to The Philadelphia Daily News, he’s done talking about anyone who is not currently on Eagles’ roster.

Texans LB Brian Cushing said Thursday that he didn’t ingest or inject anything into his body, and he denied taking any substances banned by the NFL.

The Associated Press held a revote for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award Wednesday, with a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters voting to give Texans LB Brian Cushing the award again.

Texans LB Brian Cushing is scheduled to hold a news conference at 1 p.m. CT on Thursday to discuss his four-game suspension from the NFL.

Jets QB Mark Sanchez, who was Texans LB Brian Cushing’s roommate in college, said on Wednesday that he couldn’t believe it when he heard the news of Cushing’s suspension for a banned substance.

Brian Cushing will still be eligible for the AP Defensive Player of the Year Award, but if the voters thought he should win it again, a quick survey might have told them not to take the measures they’re about to take.

In addition to the stigma of being stripped of his 2009 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award in the wake of a four-game suspension for using a banned substance, there is another issue for Texans LB Brian Cushing: How does this affect his wallet?

Bengals LB Rey Maualuga said Monday night that he has gained perspective on many things after his January DUI arrest in Kentucky forced him to confront a drinking problem.

The Texans, who will be without LB Brian Cushing for the first four games of 2010, will shift Zac Diles and let Xavier Adibi and rookie Darryl Sharpton compete for a starting spot, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Former Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson certainly did not ingratiate himself to his teammates on the way out of town.

Texans rookie LB Brian Cushing will start Sunday against the Patriots, according to a league source.

The injury reports are out for Week 17, and here’s a look at some of the notable developments among teams fighting for or headed to the postseason.