Texans linebacker Brian Cushing cleared to start training camp

TBrian Cushing will be ready for training camp after tearing his ACL last season. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing was cleared to participate fully in the team's training camp that starts next week, according to ProFootballTalk.com.

Cushing tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in Week 5 last season and missed the final 11 games of the season. He was injured when he was undercut by former New York Jets guard Matt Slauson. Slauson was not flagged on the play, but was fined for the block.

"As far as camp goes, the first day, I'll be out there; I'll be in pads," Cushing said last month. "As far as how much I'll do in camp, I'm not sure yet, but I know I will definitely be doing a good amount of it, try to get a preseason game in for sure, just knock some of that rust off and be 100 percent come the first game."

BURKE: 2013 NFL Preview: AFC South

Cushing did not participate in the team's OTAs or mini-camp and said he is excited to get back out on the field.  Texans' training camp starts July 26.

“I’ve been going crazy, to be honest with you,” he said. “It’s a game I love playing, and when it was taken away from me, a large part of my life was taken away from me. So it was tough to really deal with it and cope with the injury and on top of it, not be able to help the team. Just to come back, my life will be back to normal.”