Arian Foster Injury: Could RB play in Week 2?

It’s incredible just how many different timelines for a return Houston Texans running back Arian Foster has had ever since it was first reported that he suffered a groin injury that required surgery. Foster is undoubtedly the heart and soul of this Texans offense, and we all know just how much of an impact he can make for both his own team and fantasy teams.

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Foster has always looked destined to return sooner rather than later, and his quick progress is making it possible for him to return as early as next week.

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In fact, CBS Sports’s Jason La Canfora reports that the Texans superstar could play in next week’s game against the Carolina Panthers, because the star back has been telling “teammates and friends” that it is “quite possible” for him to face newly-paid star linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis.

It would be a massive boost for the Texans against a tough Panthers defense, and it’s even more promising to hear La Canfora call a Week 3 return for Foster a “worst-case scenario”. What makes these positive reports all the more remarkable is the fact that the short-term injured reserve seemed like a likelihood immediately after the first report of Foster’s injury broke.

The Texans will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3 on the 27th of September, and it has always seemed like Week 3 would be the most likely day for him to return to the field. Foster is one of the toughest players in the NFL and regularly works his way back quickly from injuries (he didn’t miss a beat in 2014 after suffering a season-ending 2013 injury that wiped out half of his season), but perhaps Bill O’Brien will push him to a Week 3 return date instead. As we saw last season, soft-tissue aggravations aren’t uncommon for Foster.

It’s important to note that sources told La Canfora “there has been no need to hold him back”, which means that O’Brien and the Texans will likely be more inclined to bring Arian Foster back as soon as he is ready. Fantasy owners who plucked him at a discount are rejoicing, because with Brian Hoyer at the helm, Foster is lock for major carries and major production behind a Texans offensive line that has strong run blockers like Derek Newton, Duane Brown, and standout guard Brandon Brooks.

Keep an eye out for more Foster-related rumors in the coming week, and his practice statuses will tell us what we need to know about his chances of suiting up for a big Week 2 game. After going 9-7 last season, the Texans goal is to make the playoffs even with a less-than-deal quarterback situation, because they have the defense and the offensive duo of DeAndre Hopkins and Foster to help them make some noise.

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