The Houston Texans are hoping to get Arian Foster back from a groin injury and the running back could return soon after surgery after getting a good early report on his procedure. Alfred Blue and Chris Polk likely will start for Foster until he comes back and this comes as DeAndre Hopkins, Cecil Shorts and Blue are the best fantasy football options for Brian Hoyer in Week 1.
Foster was injured earlier in the summer and the first reports after his injury were that the running back could be out for half the season. Foster was not placed on IR with designation to return, as the Texans hoped that he could return for part of the first half of the season. According to the Houston Chronicle, Foster's surgery went well and he has been progressing since the procedure and he could be back by "early October at the latest."
Bill O'Brien spoke to the media ahead of Week 1 and he said that Foster is "doing well" in his recovery. O'Brien did not put a hard date on Foster's return, but he sounded optimistic that Foster will be back sometime in the next month or so. The Texans open against the Chiefs and it is expected that Blue will start for the team. Last season Blue started games for the Texans while Foster was out with injuries and now that is playing out again this season.
O'Brien said earlier in the summer that the team would use a running back by committee to get past Foster's injury, including with Blue, Polk and Jonathan Grimes. The Texans nearly made the playoffs last season despite having inconsistent quarterback play and that was due in large part to the play of Foster. Foster had 1246 rushing yards in 13 games last season and he has not played a full season in the NFL since back in 2012 when he had 1411 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns.
Blue was solid last season and he could be enough along with Polk and Grimes to make up for not having Foster, but it's a major drop off. The Texans are hoping that Foster can return soon and that when he does he will be back to 100 percent. Blue comes in after rushing for 528 yards and two touchdowns and he is worth a fantasy football look for owners for the first few weeks with Foster out.
Brian Hoyer is the starter for the Texans this season at quarterback and while he is no Tom Brady, he could be a more consistent option than what the team had last season. Hoyer has some weapons, as DeAndre Hopkins is an explosive player coming off of a breakout season. Cecil Shorts and Jaelen Strong add some depth with Nate Washington, but it's Hopkins that could put up some major numbers. Last season Hopkins had 76 catches for 1210 yards and six touchdowns and he will now be the clear number one with Andre Johnson gone.