New Defensive ROY could be named Wednesday

It’s been a rough week for Brian Cushing.

On Wednesday, things could get a little bit worse.

That’s because the Houston Texans linebacker could lose his 2009 Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year award, as voters have been given a Wednesday 12:00pm deadline to submit their votes, per ESPN.com.

The AP announced they would conduct a revote for the award after Cushing was suspended for four games due to violating the league’s anti-doping policy.

The focus now turns to which of last year’s standout rookie defenders will take home the award. While Cushing is still eligible, his admission to taking a non-steroid banned substance will most certainly cause some writers who originally gave him their vote to go in a different direction.

Buffalo Bills safety Jairus Byrd—who intercepted nine passes and recorded 45 tackles in 14 games last year—is considered the most likely player to unseat Cushing.

Byrd received six votes to Cushing’s 39 when the original ballots were submitted.

We expect the results to be a lot different this time around.

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