The Houston Texans are hoping to get Arian Foster back soon and he could return from his groin injury over the next few weeks if he progresses in rehab. The Texans had Brian Hoyer start in Week 1, but after his poor play Ryan Mallett came in and now Bill O'Brien could pick a new starter for Alfred Blue and DeAndre Hopkins on offense.
Foster suffered a groin injury earlier in the summer and initial reports had the running back possibly missing half the season. Foster had surgery and the prognosis was more optimistic and that kept him off of the IR with designation to return list. According to CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora, Foster could return for the Texans "as early as Week 2," but the team does not expect to have him back that soon. Head coach Bill O'Brien was quoted by ESPN saying "no," about whether Foster had a "good" chance to play in Week 2. UPDATE: Mallett has been announced as the starter for Week 2.
Even if Foster does not return that quickly, the fact that he possibly could is a good sign for the Texans after the team lost the running back to an injury. Alfred Blue and Chris Polk are the main starters with Foster out and once he comes back it will give the team some strong depth at the position. Blue led the team with 42 rushing yards on Sunday in the loss to the Chiefs and he likely will continue to be the starter until Foster can return.
Foster may not know until the week he returns which quarterback will be under center, as the Texans used both Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett on Sunday. Hoyer was named the starter before the season, but O'Brien said he would be willing to make a change if things were not going well and he did that on Sunday. Hoyer was inconsistent in the game, going just 18-of-34 with 236 passing yards and one interception, one lost fumble and one touchdown. Hoyer was also sacked four times.
Hoyer was yanked from the game and afterwards he said he understood why the decision was made. Mallett came in and went 8 of 13 for 98 yards and a touchdown and this could be a common thing for the Texans if neither player takes hold of their chance. According to the Houston Chronicle, the Texans have not yet made a decision about who will start next week. O'Brien said that the decision about who will start against the Panthers will be in the "best interest of the team." O'Brien could give away a little bit depending on who gets the lead in practice if he does not name a starter before that.
DeAndre Hopkins got his fantasy season started off well despite the QB issues, making nine catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns in the game. Hopkins had TD catches from both quarterbacks and he will be a prime fantasy starter moving forward for owners. Blue is worth keeping as a handcuff for Foster in case he goes down again.
