Houston Texans: 5 Keys To Overcoming Arian Foster’s Absence

Dec 21, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) rushes during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium. The Texans defeated the Ravens 25-13. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Fantasy owners, Houston Texans fans, and impartial observers who simply want to watch good football all breathed a sigh of relief when multiple reports pegged Arian Foster’s expected return date from offseason groin surgery to be much sooner than initially feared. After a trip to the short-term injured reserve seemed likely, insiders, such as Jayson Braddock, revealed that Foster is expected to miss just two to four weeks.

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That means that the Texans won’t have Foster against the Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers, but they could have him back for the Week 3 battle against the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson reported that this is a “best-case scenario”, so he could also miss that game and the following contest against the Atlanta Falcons.

Both the Chiefs and Panthers boast stout defenses, especially since the Chiefs run defense will be much better than the Derrick Johnson, Mike DeVito, and Eric Berry-less unit that allowed 4.7 yards per carry last season.

There’s no way to replace a running back who is more important to his team’s success than any other back in the league right now, but here are five keys for the Texans if they want to overcome Foster’s 2-4 week injury.

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