Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing said Thursday he never used any banned substances even though he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

Cushing was suspended for four games without pay last week for violating the NFL’s drug policy. His appeal was denied.

Cushing confirmed he tested positive for HCG, a fertility drug that is on the league’s banned substance list.

“The question of how it got into my body is still unclear,” he said. “It’s something that I’m very personally concerned about, just the fact that how it’s there and what’s going to determine it from happening again, and that’s something we’re going to have to medically investigate.”

He said that after failing the test, he was told HCG can get in your body from injecting it or because of tumors. He said this information led him to believe he had tumors. He did not say what kind of tumors.

“I personally know I’m not injecting myself with anything,” he said. “I played the whole season thinking this could not only be my last season, but my last year.”

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

As a result of Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing’s suspension for violating the NFL’s anti-doping policy and his admission that he took a non-steroid banned substance, The Associated Press is taking a revote for the 2009 Defensive Rookie of the Year award, which Cushing won.

The AP will also revote for All-Pro outside linebacker, where Cushing initially received five votes and was named to the second team.

Cushing is still among the nominees in the revote. All ballots in the revote are due by early Wednesday afternoon.

Cushing has been suspended for the first four games in 2010 for violating the league’s anti-doping policy. He was tested last September, league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

After being alerted of the positive test, Cushing was tested randomly numerous times throughout the season and never tested positive again, a source familiar with the case told Schefter.

Click here to read the full article – By of ESPN.com

The Houston Texans will pick up the $10 million option bonus payment in the contract of Pro Bowl MVP quarterback Matt Schaub, according to a league source.

The option will be picked up as early as Thursday and no later than Friday. Once the Texans officially notify Schaub of this with a letter, the quarterback will be obligated to Houston for the next three seasons at roughly $28 million.

The move comes in the same week they extended head coach Gary Kubiak’s contract through 2012.

Schaub initially signed a six-year, $48 million contract with the Texans in March 2007. The deal also included an option bonus payment of $10 million due no later than five days after Super Bowl XLIV, which will be played Sunday in Miami. With Houston having until the end of next week to do it, they will do it as early as Thursday.

Click here to read the full article – By Adam Schefter of ESPN.com

The following playoff games are taking place this upcoming weekend, who do you guys like? (my predictions below)

AFC
Jets @ Chargers 1/17 4:40pm
Ravens @ Colts 1/16 8:15pm

NFC
Cowboys @ Vikings 1/17 1pm
Cardinals @ Saints 1/16 4:30pm

My Predictions:
AFC
Jets 21 Chargers 17
Colts 28 Ravens 20

NFC
Cowboys 28 Vikings 17
Saints 27 Cardinals 10