CINCINNATI -- Texans rookie linebacker Zach Cunningham is starting in place of suspended veteran Brian Cushing at inside linebacker Thursday night against the Bengals.
A second-round draft pick, Cunningham had four tackles last Sunday in his NFL regular-season debut.
Cunningham is a former All-Southeastern Conference and All-American selection from Vanderbilt.
Cunningham is signed to a four-year, $4.471 million contract that includes a $1.392 million signing bonus.
Cunningham was a prolific tackler in college who led the SEC with 125 tackles last season. He finished with 295 career tackles, 39 1/2 for losses, six sacks, seven forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries in three seasons.