The Houston Texans expected a lot out of Brian Cushing in 2014 after two injury-shortened seasons in 2012 and 2013. Cushing responded with his best season since 2011 and will be looking to get back to Pro Bowl form in 2015.

Cushing was selected with the 15th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, and after making the Pro Bowl as a rookie, Cushing’s play has been slowly in decline, mostly due to injuries and scheme changes. At 6-foot-3, 243-pounds, Cushing is strong enough to mix it up in the trenches, but it also quick enough to be effective in pass coverage. With J.J. Watt, Vince Wilfork and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel around, Cushing has a great supporting cast around him and a great scheme that can utilize his talents effectively.

Cushing should once again be a major factor for the Texans’ defense this season, but his injury history is very scary. Cushing was concussed against the Seattle Seahawks in 2013, tore his ACL against the New York Jets on a low block from Jets guard Matt Slauson in 2012, and broke his leg, among other ligaments, when Kansas City Chiefs star Jamaal Charles got his knee in 2013. He also missed two games in 2014 with a knee injury and revealed that he played part of the 2014 season with a fractured wrist.

The future looks bright for the Texans, especially on defense, but if Houston can’t keep Cushing on the field, the six-year, $55.64 million contract extension they gave him will look like a foolish move.

Brian Kalchik is a Houston Texans writer for www.RantSports.com.  Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.