Arian Foster going ‘home’ for season opener

Jan 13, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) is pursued by New England Patriots defensive lineman Rob Ninkovich (50) and linebacker Jerod Mayo (51) in the AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Texans 41-28. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

Going to high school in San Diego, Houston Texans running back Arian Foster will be returning ‘home’ Monday night when the Texans visit the San Diego Chargers to open their 2013 NFL regular season.

Foster went to high school in San Diego, but never has played at the home of the Chargers, though it was a goal of his in high school, but his team came one game short of that feat.

“It’s going to be fun,” he said Thursday to the Houston media. “It’s going to be my first time playing in Qualcomm. Every high school kid in San Diego wants to play at Qualcomm.

“(In high school) we fell one game short in the playoffs of playing there.”

Foster is recovering from calf injury that kept him from playing in the preseason and training camp. He recently just returned to practice, but is returning from a season where last year he rushed for over 1,400 yards.

With his return set for Monday, Foster still doesn’t know how often he’ll be used against the Chargers, though he said he’s feels no effects from his injuries.

“I’m just playing. It’s strictly Gary Kubiak’s discretion,” Foster said. “However much he wants me to have, then his rock is going to get. That’s a chess piece.

“I feel like I’m game ready to carry the load, but obviously I can understand his timidness and the little bit of withdrawal that he’ll have. It’s early in the season. It’s game one. I’ll get my feet wet this game. However the game plays, that’s how it’s going to play. But I feel like I’m game ready.”

Even though growing up in San Diego while in high school, Foster, who was a fan of the Oakland Raiders, said he made his move San Diego be stay out of trouble.

“It was just I was getting in a lot of trouble back in Albuquerque,” he said. “There comes a point in time when a son needs to be with his father, and my dad was in San Diego.

“It (his move to San Diego) needed to happen. I don’t know as far as there’s no telling. I’m glad I did though. Put it like that.”