Arian Foster Injury: Updates on Texans Star's Hamstring and Return

Tyler Conway @jtylerconwayFeatured ColumnistSeptember 19, 2014

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Updates from Sunday, Oct. 5

The Texans announced Arian Foster is active for today's game:

Houston Texans @HoustonTexans
#Texans inactives: Jeff Adams A.J. Bouye Jadeveon Clowney Darryl Morris Eddie Pleasant DeVier Posey Tom Savage

Updates from Friday, Oct. 3

Texans.com's Deepi Sidhu has the latest on Foster:

Deepi Sidhu @DeepSlant
Arian Foster is listed as probably for Sunday's game vs. #Cowboys. Practiced Thursday and Friday but was limited. #Texans

Updates from Thursday, Oct. 2

Deepi Sidhu of HoustonTexans.com passed along comments from Bill O'Brien on Arian Foster's status for Week 5:

Deepi Sidhu @DeepSlant
O'Brien will consult with Arian Foster, team docs to determine if he'll be ready to go Sunday. Foster has been day-to-day with a hamstring.

Updates from Sunday, Sept. 28

Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle spoke with Arian Foster on how he felt during Week 4:

"I just wasn’t 100 percent healthy out there (Sunday),” said Foster, who was initially a game-time decision. “I didn’t feel 100 percent myself, so I got some third downs in at the end of the game, just to try to help out. I’m glad I could make my play when my number was called.”
Texans coach Bill O’Brien said the Texans spelled Foster, partially because of Blue’s rise.
“We tried to manage (Foster’s) snaps (Sunday), coming off of missing a week there,” O’Brien said.

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle earlier confirmed Arian Foster is active for Week 4:

John McClain @McClain_on_NFL
Texans inactives Bouye, Clowney, Pleasant, Keo, Posey, Savage, Adams

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network previously reported the pre-game expectation for Foster:

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
#Texans RB Arian Foster is expected to play today, per sources. Had battled a hamstring injury, should return after missing just one game.

Updates from Friday, Sept. 26

Mark Berman of Fox 26 updated Arian Foster's status from the Texans' injury report:

Mark Berman @MarkBermanFox26
From the #Texans injury report: Arian Foster, Shane Lechler and A.J. Bouye are listed as questionable for Sundays' game against the Bills.

Earlier, Deepi Sidhu of HoustonTexans.com passed along comments from Bill O'Brien on Foster's status for Week 4:

Deepi Sidhu @DeepSlant
Arian Foster and Shane Lechler "definitely" game-time decisions, per O'Brien. Both will be worked out Sunday prior to decision. #Texans

Updates from Thursday, Sept. 25

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FOX 26's Mark Berman has the latest on Foster's status:

Mark Berman @MarkBermanFox26
Bill O'Brien says that Arian Foster and Shane Lechler will be game-time decisions. O'Brien likes what Chris Boswell can bring as a punter.

Updates from Wednesday, Sept. 24

Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle passed along comments from Bill O'Brien on Calvin Johnson's status:

Brian T. Smith @ChronBrianSmith
O'Brien on Arian Foster: "He did some things today. ... It really is day to day with him." Will be worked out before game to see if he plays

Updates from Monday, Sept. 22

Drew Doughtery of HoustonTexans.com reported the latest on Arian Foster:

Drew Dougherty @DoughertyDrew
Arian Foster just spoke with media in #Texans locker rm. Said he's still "day-to-day" with hamstring injury.

Deepi Sidhu of HoustonTexans.com also passed along more from Foster:

Deepi Sidhu @DeepSlant
"It's the hamstring's call," Foster says when asked who decides if/when he can play. #Texans

Deepi Sidhu @DeepSlant
Foster said the hamstring felt good before the game, obviously wasn't enough to play. He will be day-to-day. #Texans

Updates from Sunday, Sept. 21

Pat Hanlon of Giants.com confirms Arian Foster is inactive for Week 3:

pat hanlon @giantspathanlon
#Texans inactives at #Giants http://t.co/Pi68i2T7wT

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network previously reported the pregame expectation for Foster:

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
#Texans RB Arian Foster (hamstring) is viewed as a longshot to play today vs. #Giants, sources says. Could mean a lot of Alfred Blue & co

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle added:

John McClain @McClain_on_NFL
Arian Foster is a game time decision cause of hamstring injury. He will work out before game before Texans make a decision.

Original Text

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster, 28, is questionable for Week 3 as he works through a hamstring injury.

CSN's Dave Zangaro and Texans Radio host Deepi Sidhu have the details:

Dave Zangaro @DZangaroNBCS
Arian Foster, Ben Jones and D.J. Swearinger are questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants. #Texans

Deepi Sidhu @DeepSlant
#Texans game status report has Arian Foster (hamstring), Ben Jones (ankle/knee), and D.J. Swearinger (elbow) listed as questionable vs. NYG

The three-time Pro Bowler is entering what might be a seminal season in his career.

After scoring double-digit touchdowns and rushing for more than 1,000 yards in each of his previous three years, Foster ran for only 542 yards and one score in 2013. He missed the last eight games of the season after suffering an injury that required back surgery and also struggled through other maladies.

Doctors cleared Foster for full participation in organized team activities in April. He had been a fixture at Texans facilities ever since, participating in non-mandatory workouts and showing up to training camp looking fully recovered.

Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images

"I can tell you the surgery wasn't as major as it sounded," Foster told Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman. "That's why I rebounded so quickly. I also worked my ass off. I'm expecting to do bigger things and bounce back."

The Texans hope to receive a positive prognosis on Foster's latest injury.

When healthy, Foster ranks among the best running backs in football. He's a powerful ball-carrier who fights his way through holes and gains consistent yardage despite not having an elite downfield burst. He's also an effective pass-catching option who has twice amassed more than 600 receiving yards in a season.

With question marks surrounding Ryan Fitzpatrick's ability to lead a cogent passing game, Foster's health is possibly more important than it's ever been. First-year head coach Bill O'Brien has developed a reputation as something of a quarterback whisperer, but Fitzpatrick's mediocre career resume speaks for itself.

The Texans need an effective Foster in the lineup to have any chance of challenging in the AFC South. Despite a miserable 2013 season, Houston has a solid core that could hang around .500 or even compete near the top of a wide-open division. Foster's injury puts that on hold for now.

Once there is a firm prognosis, the Texans will have a better outlook of what lies ahead.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.