Unlike Cushing, Brown openly admitted his error and said he is accepting full responsibility for taking the drug, though he also said he took it unknowingly.
"I take full responsibility for putting myself in this situation," he said in a statement. "I unknowingly took a supplement tainted with a banned substance and now have to deal with the consequences. After reviewing the appeal process and speaking with legal counsel, I have decided not to appeal my suspension. I understand the rules and accept my punishment."
The suspension will start immediately and coincides with Cushing’s four-game punishment, which was put in place back in May. Both players will miss Sunday’s Texas showdown, when Houston hosts the Dallas Cowboys. Cushing is eligible to return on Oct. 10, while Brown will be eligible to return Nov. 1.
Brown has started every single game for the Texans since he was drafted in the first round by the team in 2008. Serving as the blind-side protector of Houston quarterback Matt Schaub, Brown’s efforts have not gone unnoticed this season, especially as the team posts a 2-0 record on the year.
"We are disappointed that Duane Brown has been suspended," Texans GM Rick Smith said in the statement. "This is a significant blow to our team. Our players have to understand that they are responsible for what goes into their bodies and that they take risks anytime they use a supplement not approved by the NFL."
Cushing appealed his suspension, which was set in May after the fertility drug hCG was found in his system. The AP Defensive Rookie of the Year said he had a medical condition called "overtrained athlete syndrome" that caused the positive test results. The NFL refuted his appeal in August.
