The Houston Texans are bringing in free agent running backs Pierre Thomas, Joe McKnight and Ben Malena for workouts following the groin injury to Arian Foster and the team could consider signing one of those players to help take over for Foster along with Alfred Blue, Jonathan Grimes and Chris Polk until Foster can return. UPDATE: The team has signed Thomas. UPDATE II: The Texans and Pierre Thomas could not agree on a deal. There is a chance a contract could happen later.
The Texans received tough news about Foster on Tuesday, as he likely will need surgery on his groin and could be out for the start of the season. According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the team is bringing in Thomas for a visit along with the two other free agent backs in McKnight and Malena to potentially add some more depth to the roster. The team also could consider players like Ben Tate, Chris Johnson, Ray Rice or Steven Jackson.
Thomas is coming in after being released by the Saints this offseason and he is 30 years old and has not had much interest on the market. Thomas is a fairly productive player and while he had a career low 222 yards last season, he averaged nearly five yards per carry and was once again strong as a receiver out of the backfield. Thomas can help make up for that aspect of Foster's game, as he has had 45 catches last season and over 100 combined in the last two years.
Foster could miss the start of the season for the Houston Texans and fantasy football owners after suffering a groin injury, as the running back may need surgery and fantasy teams should check out players like Alfred Blue, Jonathan Grimes, Kenny Hilliard and Chris Polk in drafts moving forward, as Foster could be out for half the season if he has surgery.
Foster reportedly suffered a serious injury and NFL.com reporter Ian Rapoport first had the news, writing that the team thinks he will need surgery. According to NFL.com, the injury is "major" and the Houston Chronicle later reported that the injury is "severe" and will require surgery. Surgery would put Foster out of action for a while and if Foster ends up on the injured reserve/designated to return list, he will be out until at least Week 10 of the season.
The Texans have Alfred Blue, Jonathan Grimes and Chris Polk on the roster behind Foster and along with rookie Kenny Hilliard those players are good options for fantasy owners. Blue was a solid handcuff last season and put up decent numbers in limited time and if Foster is out for that long, expect Blue to get the bulk of the carries. The team would likely use a committee format at RB with Blue not having much experience as a lead back, but Bill O'Brien praised Blue last season when he played for Foster while he was injured.
Thomas played in 11 games last season for the Saints and in the three previous years he only missed one game for New Orleans. The Texans could bring in Thomas to be a durable back to hold things over until Foster can return. Alfred Blue was solid last season, but he was a rookie and lacks experience and Thomas can bring that to the table. Foster is a strong receiver out of the backfield and that is a big part of his game and Thomas could be enough to make up for that for at least part of the year.
Check here for more on Arian Foster and his injury for the Texans and interest in Thomas.
