Cushing wins second AFC Player of the Week award

Texans rookie linebacker Brian Cushing was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 8, becoming the first Texans rookie to win the award twice in one season. The first-round draft pick (No. 15 overall) out of USC previously received the honor in Week 6.

"That's something; twice in a (three)-week span," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. "He's a fine player. He's on his way to a great year and a great career here, so we're very fortunate to have him."

Cushing (6-3, 265) led the Texans with 10 tackles and had one sack, one pass defensed and an interception against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The interception was his second of the season and sealed the Texans' 31-10 victory.

The last rookie to win multiple weekly NFL awards was Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, who was named NFC Offensive Player of the Month twice in 2007. Peterson was a consensus choice for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

The last defensive player to win two weekly awards was Ravens safety Ed Reed in 2008. Reed was a consensus All-Pro and finished third in voting for AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Cushing leads all rookies and ranks fifth in the NFL with 66 tackles this season. He has led or tied for the team lead in tackles six times in eight games.

"That's the kind of impact I try to make," Cushing said. "I think Frank (Bush) and Coach Kubiak knew what they wanted in the draft and what they wanted specifically, a guy that roams all around the field and a rangy linebacker. I think they put me well into the defense, and it's just enabled me to do what I have."

{QUOTE}Cushing is the only AFC rookie to win a weekly award in 2009. He joins quarterbacks Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Brett Favre as the only players in the NFL to win a weekly honor twice this season.

A Texans player has won an AFC honor following four of the team's five victories this season. That already matches the team-record total, set in 2008, for player of the week awards in a single season.

Along with Cushing's two awards, wide receiver Jacoby Jones won AFC special teams honors in Week 4. Quarterback Matt Schaub won offensive honors in Week 2.