The Houston Texans reportedly signed Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Cushing to an extension contract while the Oakland Raiders decided to start Terrelle Pryor for the first week of the regular season, an NFL insider disclosed on Tuesday.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport indicated that Texans already signed Cushing to a long term deal, keeping the 26-year-old pass rusher in the fold for more runs in the future.
"The #Texans have reached a long-term extension with LB Brian Cushing, source says," Rapoport posted on his official Twitter account.
The Texans finally locked in their premier linebacker in Cushing, who is coming off a torn ACL injury that abruptly ended his 2012 NFL campaign.
The former 15th overall pick recorded 353 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 7 interceptions and 6 forced fumbles since joining the Texans four years ago. In his rookie season, Cushing was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after recording 133 tackles, 4 sacks and 4 interceptions during his first-year campaign.
Despite being banned for the first four games of the 2010 season after testing positive for banned substances, Cushing still managed to post big numbers with 76 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 4 pass deflections and 1 forced fumbles. He continued to produce efficiently into his third season by racking up 114 tackles, 4 sacks, 5 pass deflections, 2 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles.
Meanwhile, former Ohio State Buckeyes star Terrelle Pryor is expected to start for the Oakland Raiders in their season opener against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Pryor beat out presumably the Raiders week one starter in Matt Flynn after coming up with 32 points on 14 drives while Flynn produced just 10 points on 13 drives in the preseason.
Pryor, the third round pick in the 2011 Supplemental Draft, completed 14 of 30 pass attempts for 155 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in his first two seasons with the Raiders.
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