Jets guard Matt Slauson has been taken aback by the reaction to his low block from behind on Texans linebacker Brian Cushing on Monday night, which left Cushing with a season-ending knee injury. Slauson says he feels badly for Cushing, but he’s baffled that anyone thinks he did anything wrong.
“Every coach I’ve ever had has taught to cut on the backside of an outside zone play,” Slauson said. “I don’t know why this is a big deal. I feel bad that Cushing got hurt, that wasn’t my intent at all, but I got to do my job.”
Slauson wasn’t flagged for the block and said he doesn’t expect to be fined. The league is looking at the hit, but the league looks at every play. And there’s no rule against blocking an opposing player in the knee from behind.
“I wasn’t trying to hurt him obviously,” Slauson said. “I must have just caught him by surprise. Unfortunately things like that happen.”
Most defensive players will tell you Slauson’s block should be against the rules. But at the moment it’s not against the rules. And as long as it’s not, Slauson is right: Unfortunately things like Cushing’s injury will happen.