The Houston Texans have told veteran linebacker Brian Cushing that they will release him before the new league year begins on March 14th, according to a report by John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.

Cushing, who was drafted by the Texans in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, has been with the team his entire career. However, his 2017 season was marked by a ten-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing drugs. In five games, Cushing made only 16 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

With Cushing's release, the Texans will save $7.64 million towards the salary cap. According to McClain, Cushing is taking the news as well as he can.

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

Cushing finishes his Texans career with 664 combined tackles, 13.5 sacks, one safety, 30 passes defended, eight interceptions, one touchdown, and nine forced fumbles.