The Houston Texans' season continues to get worse. The team was blown out by the Miami Dolphins on Sunday and in the process they might have just lost one of their best players for the remainder of the season. As the Texans try and find answers as to why they simply cannot get going this year, they are going to have to figure out the offense without Arian Foster who is expected to miss the season.
Foster was finally getting going following a groin injury that forced him to miss the start of the season. However, according to ESPN's Tania Ganguli the running back suffered a torn Achilles against the Dolphins during the fourth quarter. Foster will undergo an MRI to confirm the injury, but the running back was seen on crutches in the locker room after the game and he did not speak with the media. Head coach Bill O'Brien said it was simply a routine play for the running back who is now expected to miss the remainder of the season.
"I feel terrible for him," O'Brien said, via ESPN.com. "He's done a lot for us in the two years I've been here. I hate that part of the game."
Without Foster, improving the offense just became an uphill climb for the Texans. In place of the running back, Alfred Blue will step in as the starter with Chris Polk as the backup. Blue did little to impress as the starter at the beginning of the season. He has 234 yards on 60 carries for one touchdown. He will be the lead back moving forward. According to the Houston Chronicle, the Texans have looked at free agent running backs before and could again. Pierre Thomas has gotten workouts with plenty of teams. Montee Ball is available. Ben Tate has gotten looks from other teams. Of course Ray Rice is always there, but at this point there is no need to bring him on.
The Texans will have to take a hard look at Foster's future with the team as injuries continue to be an issue. Signed to a pricey contract, this injury could be a big blow to the outlook of Foster's NFL career or at least his time in Houston. With the Texans likely having to rebuild this upcoming offseason, Foster could be out.
The Texans have a lot more issues than their run game. The team lost 44-26 to Miami while Ryan Mallett is quickly working his way out of the franchise. The quarterback missed his flight to Miami and had to take a commercial jet to the game according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport. The Texans would get nothing for him if the opted to trade Mallett, but a release when the season is over could be the likely outcome for everyone.