Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing has said that he is closing in on 100% fitness and cannot wait for a return to action at the start of the 2014 season.

A succession of knee injuries has kept Cushing down to just 12 appearances in the last two seasons but, having taken his time to recover from the latest setback, he is confident of hitting the ground running.

"Quick trip to Pensacola with my lead blocker, better believe I'm 100%," Cushing said on Twitter.

"I'm just looking forward to playing football again," he then told SiriusXM NFL Radio. "Getting back, playing the game I love and putting forward a full 16 games."

The Texans had a dismal 2013 season, with a 2–14 record overall.