The NFL has announced that Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing's four-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy has been upheld.

Texans owner Bob McNair presented evidence to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in an attempt to get Cushing's suspension reduced or dismissed entirely.

Here's then statement released by the NFL on Thursday:

"At the request of Texans owner Bob McNair, Commissioner Goodell reviewed additional medical information presented on behalf of Brian Cushing. The club and Cushing were notified today that after carefully considering all the information, including a review by outside medical experts, the commissioner finds no basis for changing the decision and that Mr. Cushing's suspension for the first four games of the regular season remains in place."

Cushing contends that his positive test for elevated levels of hCG were the result of "Overtrained Athlete Syndrome".