Cushing blames training
The Houston Texans asked the NFL to reduce or rescind the four-game suspension given to star linebacker Brian Cushing on Monday, saying he has a unique medical condition stemming from something called overtrained athlete syndrome.
Cushing described the condition after practice. He said the syndrome can trigger hormonal spikes after breaks in training, explaining why he would have tested positive for a fertility drug last September – a drug he said he never took.
Texans owner Bob McNair met with commissioner Roger Goodell in New York to plead his case. The league denied Cushing’s appeal of the suspension in February.
Jets owner Woody Johnson is not optimistic that a deal for All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis will be done by the beginning of the regular season.
The Jets rejected an offer proposed by Revis’ agents on Friday during a meeting at a diner in Roscoe. Johnson offered a stern, “The answer’s no,” when asked if he felt a deal could be done by Week 1.
Agents Neil Schwartz and Jonathan Feinsod met with general manager Mike Tannenbaum and director of football administration Ari Nissim, offering a long-term contract to try to make some headway in the dispute.
Cowboys TE Phillips out for season with torn ACL
John Phillips, the No. 3 tight end last season as a rookie, is out for the season after tests confirmed that he tore the ACL in his right knee in the preseason opener.
Both tight ends that came in after Phillips also got banged up. Kevin Brock has a sprained left ankle and Scott Sicko has a concussion.
With the injuries, the Cowboys have no healthy tight ends behind Pro Bowl starter Jason Witten.
Witten’s primary backup, Martellus Bennett, was held out of the preseason opener to give him time to heal from a sprained ankle.
Indianapolis Colts reserve defensive lineman John Gill isn’t expected to play for the team this season after a public intoxication arrest over the weekend.
Team president Bill Polian said that he expects the NFL to place Gill in a roster category that would keep him inactive this season.
Cleveland Browns defensive back Gerard Lawson returned to practice, one day after he was arrested on charges that include driving under the influence.
Lawson was arrested Sunday morning after sheriff’s deputies said he hit a parked car downtown and they saw him leaving the accident scene in the popular downtown Warehouse District.
Dave Matthews Band and Taylor Swift will perform in New Orleans at the NFL’s annual kickoff concert.
The league said the Grammy-winning artists will hold the show in Jackson Square, before the Saints face the Minnesota Vikings at the Superdome to open the season Sept. 9.