Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing suffered a broken leg and a torn LCL on Sunday and is out for the remainder of the season.
It’s another loss for the Texans. Houston fell to 2-5 with a fifth consecutive loss.
Cushing had reconstructive knee surgery in 2012 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Cushing was injured in the third quarter Sunday, when Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles went low to block Cushing, who emerged clutching his left leg. Cushing left the stadium on crutches.
The players exchanged respectful messages via Twitter on Sunday night.
“Wishing @briancushing56 a speedy recovery,” Charles wrote. “Hate to see anyone get injured on the football field.”
Cushing responded “@jcharles25 appreciate you bro. I know you were just doing your job. Nothing but respect for your game.”
Cushing, 26, was the 2009 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He was suspended for the first four games of the 2010 season after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
After recording four sacks and four interceptions as a rookie, Cushing has a total of seven sacks and four interceptions in the ensuing four years.