Max

Bullough

Cushing suffered an MCL sprain in the first quarter, forcing Bullough to fill in the rest of the game. “Max Bullough went in there and did a nice job,” O’Brien said. “He was a solid player for us.” With Cushing out at least four weeks, Bullough will see plenty of snaps. He recorded five tackles against the Bears.

The Texans’ top reserve inside linebacker, Bullough played 240 snaps last season, making three starts. A former UDFA, Bullough’s roster spot is probably safe, but it’s never a given when you’re a backup facing suspension.

Bullough (6-foot-3 1/2, 249) was a third-team All-American as a senior, manning Mike ‘backer in the Spartans’ stingy defense. He logged 40 starts, 30.5 career tackles for loss, three interceptions, and four forced fumbles. Although Bullough has smarts (31 Wonderlic) and adequate straight-line speed (4.78 forty), he is tight-hipped and not an explosive mover (9-foot-4 broad jump). A coverage liability, he would have to be “protected” by scheme to handle meaningful defensive snaps. Ultimately, Bullough will likely be limited to a special teams role with the Texans.

Bullough is the name from this list. An undrafted rookie, Bullough was a third-team All-American his senior year at Michigan State. The Texans would likely hope to stash him on the practice squad.