Why Arian Foster Is in Even Greater Danger After Tweeting MRI of Torn Hamstring

Yesterday, Houston Texans running back Arian Foster tweeted a picture of his hamstring MRI, revealing a tear. Whether he's out for one week or one month is unknown, though he does intend to take the field in the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts.

If that is the case, then he may regret tweeting that photo for reasons beyond the fine he is inevitably receiving for violating Texans team rules.

Foster putting that torn hamstring for all to see may pose a significant risk for the NFL's rushing leader, because, whether it seems fair or not, opponents love to take shots at players they know are already injured.

Former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi said just that on ESPN Radio:

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“As a defensive player, if this is his hamstring, noting that the sore spot — the white spot that he calls anti-awesomeness — is in the middle of the hamstring, as I’m getting off of a pile, maybe I push,” Bruschi said. “Maybe that’s where I push. Because I know that’s exactly where it is. I give it a little dig, I give it a little twist as I get off the pile. Maybe I do that.”

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If Bruschi is talking about giving Foster's hamstring "a little dig," then it is fair to say that Colts defenders, and opponents in the weeks that follow, are thinking the same thing.

While Foster may be concerned with how quickly he can get back on the field, he should reconsider hurrying himself.

He may feel well enough to be an effective player, but if the hamstring remains damaged, there is a very high probability that he could suffer a significant injury just because he will be a target of the defense.

NFL players—offensive and defensive, alike—have methods to target an opponent's injuries without drawing penalties in a game. It's a legitimate skill learned over time.

Bruschi isn't just saying that Foster is a target because of his own proclivity for nastiness; he's saying this because it's a known practice in the NFL. If he's saying it publicly, every linebacker in the league with the Texans on their schedule is thinking it.

Generally, stud running backs have a major target on their backs as it is. Knocking a star player out of a game is a badge of honor for the defense. If that star player is already hurt—and they know exactly where he's hurt, and how badly—that's a free gift.

Obviously, Foster was not thinking about this when he sent that MRI out for the world to see. Instead, he was trying to bait the fans and analysts who only care about his fantasy football value, and not Foster's hamstring or Foster the person, instead.

But now, that photo is going to serve as bait for all his opposing defenses for the duration of the season, starting with the Colts.

There's more than one reason that MRI revealed "anti-awesomeness" for Foster, and they only begin with having the injury in the first place. Hopefully, they don't end with a shortened season and a smiling linebacker above him.