Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing will keep Defensive Rookie of the Year award

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Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing will keep The Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award he won in January.

The former USC All-American won a revote that was taken after the league suspended Cushing for four games last week for violating the NFL’s drug policy.

Cushing, who tested positive in September, said he took a non-steroid substance, but the league still considers it a performance-enhancer.

The revote gave Cushing 18 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league. Buffalo safety Jairus Byrd received 13 votes, and Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews III got 10. Washington linebacker Brian Orakpo earned three votes, and St. Louis linebacker James Laurinaitis got one.

Three voters were not available to cast ballots, and two voters abstained.

The original vote was much more lopsided in Cushing’s favor. Back in January, he received 39 votes, easily beating Byrd, who had six.

-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.