Texans tell linebacker Brian Cushing they plan to release him

Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing has been told by the team he will be released by the time the new league year begins on March 14. Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing has been told by the team he will be released by the time the new league year begins on March 14. Photo: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle Photo: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 18 Caption Close Texans tell linebacker Brian Cushing they plan to release him 1 / 18 Back to Gallery

The Texans have told inside linebacker Brian Cushing that he no longer figures into their defensive plans and will be released at some point before the new league year begins March 14.

Cushing, 31, played nine seasons with the Texans and is the team's all-time leading tackler with 664. When he's released, the move will clear $7.64 million in salary cap space.

"It's all good," Cushing said Sunday night in a text message. "It's part of the business."

SUSPENDED AGAIN: Texans' Brian Cushing missed 10 games in 2017 season

The Texans' decision on Cushing isn't a surprise. During his 10-game suspension last season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, there was speculation that he would be released during the offseason.

Recommended Video:

With rookie inside linebackers Zach Cunningham and Dylan Cole showing so much promise, Cushing became expendable.

When Cushing is released, the Texans will have more room under the salary cap for first-year general manager Brian Gaine, who's going to be active in free agency.

The Texans are currently $56.6 million under the cap, according to Overthecap.com. Cushing's release would give them $64.2 million of salary cap space, pending more possible roster moves that free up additional cap space.

Cushing, the team's first-round pick in 2009, started five games last season, including the last four at outside linebacker after his suspension ended. With Cunningham and Cole emerging, Cushing played on the outside because of injuries at that position.

When he returned from his suspension, Cushing missed one more game before he was activated, and coach Bill O'Brien made him a captain.

During his four years with Cushing, O'Brien always called him "the heart and soul of our defense."

Cushing, who disclosed last year he had undergone surgery more than 20 times in his career, is scheduled to make a base salary of $7.25 million this season.

Cushing was the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2009 and was voted to the Pro Bowl that same season. He suffered season-ending knee injuries in 2012 and 2013 but missed only five starts because of injuries from 2014-16.