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THE TEXANS WIRECushingCUSHING BECOMES THE MIDDLE MANHouston LB Brian Cushing proved in2009 that he was among the NFL’s elitelinebackers, earning a Pro Bowl electionand the AP Defensive Rookie of the Yearhonor.He will get a chance to show just howgood he is on Monday night in a new role.Cushing will move from his normal spot as the team’s Samlinebacker into the middle as the team’s Mike linebackerin absence of LB DeMeco Ryans, who was placed on injuredreserve after a Week 6 Achilles’ tendon injury.“The decision has been made,” head coach Gary Kubiaktold the media on Monday. “We are going to move Cushingto the Mike linebacker. We made a decision early lastweek. We thought that was the best thing for our team forputting him at the Mike. We want him to lead our defenseand take over it. That’s where we are going.”It will be Cushing’s first venture to the position as a pro,after seeing time in the middle in high school and at USC.“Overall, I just think that I’ve got to lock in a little bitmore,’ Cushing said. “I’m going to have to be the quarterbackof the defense and I’m fine doing that.”KeglarWELCOME TO THE CLUBLewisSheppardIn the wake of LB DeMeco Ryans’ season-ending injuryand the team’s constant dedication to improving, Houstonsigned three defensive players to bolster its defense onMonday, October 25 and released DT Frank Okam. Formerfirst-round DT Damione Lewis and third-year LB StanfordKeglar were signed as free agents, while rookie DTMalcolm Sheppard was signed from the Texans practicesquad.Head coach Gary Kubiak weighed in on the signings withthe media on Monday.On Keglar: “He’s got a lot of skill. He was last at Tennessee.He should be able to help us on special teams rightaway. He has played all over the place at the linebackerposition”On Lewis: “Obviously we are looking for more speed upfront and some way to get more active and get in front ofthe quarterback, so we added him.”On Sheppard: “He’s been probably one of our most improvedfootball players on our football team throughoutthe first six weeks.”QUICK HEALEROne of the good problems head coachGary Kubiak had heading into the seasonwas having two capable right guardsin Antoine Caldwell and Mike Brisiel.Caldwell started the first two games andBrisiel the following three, while bothBrisiel saw action on a rotating schedule.But the position took a hit in Week 5 against the Giants,with Brisiel going to down with a knee injury. Kubiak statedBrisiel’s injury was a chief concern following the game,and Brisiel’s status was unknown and he was inactive inWeek 6 against Kansas City.But Brisiel has bounced back, practicing Monday thoughit is unknown who will start at right guard against Indianapolis.AndersonWARD WARRANTING ATTENTIONRB Derrick Ward, who ranks secondon the team with 141 yards rushing on 17carries, has scored a rushing touchdownin each of the last three games, a careerfirst. It’s only the third time a Texan runningback has rushed for a touchdownin three consecutive games (DomanickWilliams, six games in 2004; Ron Dayne, three games in2006).“Well, he’s telling us we need to get him on the fieldmore,” head coach Gary Kubiak said. “Arian will be totallyfresh if he’s playing, if not, then Derrick will be out there.We were even talking about how good he looked justpracticing today. Remember when he came in, we talkedabout him losing six or seven pounds? He’s down now andis really going to help us down the stretch.”BROWN IS BACKLT Duane Brown will make his returndebut from suspension against Indianapolison Monday and should strengthen analready productive offensive line.Though he was able to work out in histime away from the team, some thingsBrowncan’t be simulated. Luckily, the open datehas allowed him an extra few practices of preparation beforestepping in against All-Pro Dwight Freeney.“It’s pretty good,” Brown said of his practices. “The communications,I had to get that back. I had to get my callsback down, but I felt pretty good out there.”Brown, who has started all 34 games he has appeared infor the Texans, was drafted in the first round by Houstonin 2008.7GAME 7 • TEXANS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS • HOUSTONTEXANS.COM