The Houston Texans have Arian Foster out with a groin injury, but he could return sooner than expected and this comes as Alfred Blue and Chris Polk likely will start over Jonathan Grimes early on. Brian Hoyer is the starting quarterback and for fantasy football owners, DeAndre Hopkins, Cecil Shorts and Garrett Graham are the best fantasy picks from the team.
Foster is out for a stretch after having groin surgery this summer and while initial reports had him out for half the season, Foster could return sooner than that. According to the Houston Chronicle, Aaron Wilson reports that Foster could be back in action by the end of September in the "best case scenario." The team had been debating early on about putting Foster on the IR with designation to return, but that would guarantee that he would miss a large chunk of the season.
Earlier in August the Houston Chronicle reported that Foster could be out between "4 to 6" weeks instead of three or four months and that means he could be back sooner than expected. Foster had groin surgery, but the Chronicle reported that it was a "sports-hernia" procedure and could have a shorter recovery. Foster comes in after missing three games last season, but he still put up 1246 yards and 38 receptions with 13 total touchdowns and that is the production the Texans will miss.
Alfred Blue stepped in well for Foster as a rookie last season and he likely will get the chance to start in Week 1. The team also has Chris Polk, Jonathan Grimes and Kenny Hilliard and so far they have not added a free agent. The team was close with Pierre Thomas, but Bill O'Brien and Rick Smith likely will sit tight and see how Foster is recovering before making a move. Blue rushed for 258 yards last season and did not miss a game and he has been working with the first team offense in camp.
Foster appears to be on his way back enough projection-wise to not go on IR and the Texans are hoping he can heal up quickly. The team has solid depth behind Foster, but the plan all along with to ride Foster like a workhorse this season as the Texans try and get back to the playoffs. The Texans have expectations of making the playoffs this season, as the team nearly made it last year despite having inconsistent QB play.
Bill O'Brien hopes Hoyer can help with that and the offense has some solid weapons in the passing game, including DeAndre Hopkins, Cecil Shorts, Jaelen Strong and Nate Washington. Hopkins is a star-type player and now he is the true number one with Andre Johnson out of Houston. Last season Hopkins had a breakout season with 76 catches for 1210 yards and six touchdowns and he is expecting to put up big numbers again. Shorts, Strong and Washington give the team some nice depth and if they can hold out until Foster returns, the Texans should be in the mix in the AFC.
Check here for more on Foster and his potential return for the Texans.
