Arian Foster Injury: Why Texans RB Must Not Rush Return to NFL

Arian Foster has been rehabbing from the dreaded hamstring injury, and even though he plans to play Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, he cannot rush his return. 

A hamstring injury is serious business because you might think you're ready to go, but then you push yourself too hard and you're back on the bench and out for even longer than you planned. 

Foster blew up on the NFL scene a year ago, rushing for over 1,600 yards on 327 carries and 16 touchdowns. He was a fantasy football star, and everyone was expecting more greatness from him in 2011. 

He hurt his hamstring in training camp, but didn't take it too serious because he re-injured it in the preseason. That's exactly why he cannot jump into the regular season too soon. 

The Houston Texans running back told reporters that he is taking it slow, but after a solid Wednesday practice, he believes he can play. Per Pro Football Talk:

"

It felt good, Foster said. It was pretty fluid, but you got to ease along hamstring injuries, like I’ve been saying, so I’m just going to take it day-by-day and see how it feels.

On playing, that’s the plan, but you never know with hamstring injuries. They’re tricky. Sometimes they’ll sneak up on you.

"

It snuck up on him once already, and Houston would really love it if it doesn't happen again this season, and his fantasy owners would be pretty happy with that, too. Although, as we already know with past problems on Foster's Twitter page, he has some owners who want him to play no matter what.

The Texans don't really need Foster this week for two reasons. One is that Ben Tate and Derrick Ward did an excellent job filling in for Foster in Week 1, and the other is that Matt Schaub happens to be a really good quarterback, which is good news since they're playing the Dolphins' weak secondary.

Houston is in prime position to win the AFC South for the first time, and Foster is such a huge part of their offense. There's no true reason for Foster to play this week. 

Foster should take it slow and continue to rest for another week. The run game will still be fine, and if it's sluggish, Schaub will carry the team with his arm. 

The last thing the Texans want is for Foster to rush his return only to get hurt again.

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LIFE HURTS. THIS INJURY UPDATE BROUGHT TO YOU BY DICKIES.