The Houston Texans may consider releasing Arian Foster this offseason after the running back dealt with injuries last season. Foster is coming into the final year of his contract and could be a salary cap casualty this winter.
Foster has been one of the best running backs in the league during his career when healthy, but over the past three years Foster has not been able to stay on the field consistently. Foster only played in four games last season while dealing with injuries and now he could be on his way out of Houston. According to the Houston Chronicle, "multiple sources" report that they believe the Texans will cut Foster this winter. Foster is set to make a non-guaranteed $6.5 million next season and he will be 30 by the time the season starts.
Age and injury issues likely will be the main factors if the Texans release Foster, who has missed over 20 games combined in the last three seasons. Last year Foster rushed for just 163 yards in four games, leaving Alfred Blue to lead the way with 698 yards rushing for the team. The Texans may want to go younger at the position and if they let go of Foster, the team could give Blue the chance to start.
If Foster is released, he likely will be a popular target on the market if he proves he is recovered from his Achilles injury that ended his season. According to ESPN, Foster has been cleared to start "light jogging" in his rehab and based on his recovery schedule, Foster should be ready for the 2016 season, but may miss some of training camp. Foster has not played a full season since 2012 and being injury prone has been the main knock on Foster since coming into the league. Foster has only played a full schedule twice in seven seasons in the NFL.
The Texans likely will address the quarterback position this offseason after having to use four starters last season. The team has Brian Hoyer coming back along with Tom Savage, but head coach Bill O'Brien may want to add some competition in free agency or the draft. Sam Bradford is the top player hitting the market at quarterback, while prospects like Paxton Lynch, Christian Hackenberg and Connor Cook also could be options.
O'Brien has past experience with Hackenberg from when he was head coach at Penn State, while Bradford could be an option if he doesn't return to the Philadelphia Eagles. Bradford could be targeted by a number of teams this offseason, including the Browns, 49ers and Jets.