ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Houston Texans linebacker and reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Brian Cushing has been suspended four games by the National Football League for violating the NFL's steroids policy.

"Cushing appealed the suspension in February and discovered today he had lost his appeal. First game he will miss is against the Colts", Schefter added on Twitter.

Prior to being chosen with the 15th overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, draft website NFLDraftBible.com erroneously reported that Cushing, along with USC teammate Clay Matthews, had tested positive for steroids. The report was refuted by Cushing's representatives, and the website retracted it's reports.

"I’m pretty tired of everything happening with all these supposed rumors [and] people trying to tarnish my reputation," Cushing told ESPN last summer. "I’m not sure what happened. I don’t know if it’s my playing attitude...people just don’t like how I handle myself. But you know that’s too bad for them."

Cushing posted 133 tackles and four quarterback sacks last season. The 6-3, 243-pound New Jersey native also intercepted four passes, forced a pair of fumbles, and make 12 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

In addition to being named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year, Cushing was selected to play in the Pro Bowl, and earned second-team All-Pro honors. Due to foot, knee, rib, and finger injuries, Cushing opted not to participate in the Pro Bowl.

Cushing has been undergoing an MMA-style training regiment with FOXSports.com's Jay Glazer this off-season.