Sep 29, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) scores a touchdown in the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
It was another Houston Texans practice without starting running back Arian Foster, Thursday, as the top back on the team missed again with a back injury.
Foster who has 121 caries (542 yards, one touchdown) this season continues to fight off various injuries in 2013, as he’s also missed time this season with a hamstring injury.
Interim head coach Wade Phillips said Thursday:
"“They’re still evaluating his injury. He’s seeing the doctors again.”"
It was reported that Deji Karim would be the third back if Foster is inactive, backing up Ben Tate (who is playing with broken ribs) and Dennis Johnson, who made his season debut last Sunday.
Playing without their head coach Gary Kubiak, and add that with the possibility of not having Foster in the lineup isn’t good for the Texans, especially on the road in Arizona this Sunday.
Don’t believe me? That combination of losses last week in the second half saw the Texans score just three points, and lose to the Indianapolis Colts, 27-24.
Is the loss of both Foster and Kubiak too much to overcome for this team, on the road, against a team with four wins?
Maybe.
Though I still believe the Texans have a chance to snap their six-game losing streak this Sunday, not having Foster in the lineup, added with Tate, who is one bad hit away from not being able to finish a game with his broken ribs, the prospects of any type of running game isn’t a bright factor.
Johnson last week had eight carries for 36 yards. Karim last had a carry in a regular season game during the 2011 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Phillips said of Johnson on Thursday:
"“I think he added a lot last game. Between he and Ben (Tate) last game, (he) looked like to me, he was a good change up guy. We had a guy last year that was kind of that way. But I thought he did a good job in the ball game. We’ll try to utilize him again.”"
Like I’ve said this week, not having Foster in the lineup can’t help the Texans, but I can’t wait to see what happens as we get closer to Sunday.