Former USC star Brian Cushing suspended four games by the NFL

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Former USC star and current Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing has been suspended four games without pay for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Cushing will serve his suspension over the first four games of the upcoming season and will be eligible to return during the week of Oct. 4.

Texans General Manager Rick Smith told the Associated Press that the team is “disappointed” to learn of the suspension.

Cushing, the 15th overall pick in last year’s draft, had 133 tackles in 2009 and won Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

The suspension was first reported by ESPN.

-- Houston Mitchell