Bill O'Brien doesn't mess with injuries.
That's why he'll continue to limit Brian Cushing's playing time until they both agree it's time to go for a full game.
"We're going to look at that every week," O'Brien said Monday. "He hasn't played football in a while and he's coming back off of a significant knee injury from last year. He's had a really good rehab and I think it's important not to just throw him in there and let him go play 80, 85 plays in game. I think it's what's best for the player. What's best for Brian Cushing is to manage him back through these first few weeks but we'll look at it every single week to determine by game plan and it's all how he feels, a consultation with him to determine how much he plays, each and every week."
With Jadeveon Clowney out 4-6 weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery on Monday, the Texans don't want to lose another starting linebacker. However, O'Brien admits it will be hard to keep a passionate player like Cushing on the sidelines during a game.
"Oh that's difficult to do," O'Brien said. "Yeah, he wants to be out there and I think in critical situations, he will be out there."
Cushing had 5 tackles and a quarterback hit against Washington in his second successful return from a season-ending knee injury. Before the start of the season, he said he felt 100 percent and was confident in the rehab he underwent this offseason. While he does understand the importance of not rushing back, the sixth-year veteran admitted he's always eager to be in the game.
"It's a lot different when you are not playing and just watching," Cushing said. "To go out there and know you are going to make some calls, make some plays, and play with your guys, it's a great feeling. It's a game I love, so anytime I get to go out there, it's great."
