HEADLINES

Arian Foster

AFC Notes: Foster, Hilton, Bills, Raiders

August 5th, 2015 at 2:00pm CST by Luke Adams

Texans running back Arian Foster is headed to Philadelphia to get a second opinion on his groin injury, according to Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com (Twitter link), and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that the second opinion will come on Friday from Dr. William Myers, an expert on sports hernias. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com goes one step further, tweeting that Foster won’t just be in Philadelphia for Myers’ assessment — he’ll also undergo surgery on Friday.

With Foster expected to miss the start of the regular season, the Texans wanted to sign Pierre Thomas, but the two sides couldn’t agree to terms today after the ex-Saint worked out for Houston. Now that they failed to lock up Thomas, the Texans may not sign a veteran, since they like their young backs and want to get them reps, tweets Rapoport.

Even if the Texans do continue to explore the free agent market, Ray Rice probably won’t be considered, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, who says owner Bob McNair likely wouldn’t approve such a move. Rice may not be an appealing on-field option anyway — one GM tells Ed Werder of ESPN.com (Twitter link) that his most recent game tape “isn’t get enough to get excited about.”

Let’s check in on a few more items from around the AFC….

  • Agent Drew Rosenhaus left Indianapolis today, despite the fact that he and the Colts have yet to work out an extension for wideout T.Y. Hilton. However, talks are ongoing, tweets Albert Breer of the NFL Network.
  • Appearing on WGR 550 in Buffalo today (Twitter link), GM Doug Whaley admitted that the Bills are in “quarterback purgatory,” since the team doesn’t have a clear long-term answer at the position, and doesn’t expect to pick near the top of the draft within the next couple years.
  • The Raiders have likely made contract with defensive tackle Tony McDaniel, who was released on the weekend by the Seahawks, writes Jerry McDonald of the Bay Area News Group. GM Reggie McKenzie said “there’s a chance” Oakland could bring in the veteran, who has a history with new Raiders defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr.
  • In the wake of reports suggesting they tipped off the Colts about the Patriots deflating footballs, the Ravens issued a strong denial of their involvement today, via a team release.
  • Bills running back Boobie Dixon, who isn’t considered a lock to make the team’s roster, is expected to miss several weeks with a calf injury, writes Mike Rodak of ESPN.com.

Arian Foster Will Require Groin Surgery

August 4th, 2015 at 1:40pm CST by Luke Adams

1:40pm: According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link), Foster will indeed require surgery on his groin. However, he’s expected to return to action during the regular season.

1:11pm: Texans running back Arian Foster sustained a groin injury during the Texans’ first fully-padded practice last night, reports Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com (Twitter links). According to Ganguli, the injury is “significant,” and there’s concern that the star back will require surgery. A source tells Jayson Braddock of ESPN 97.5 in Houston (Twitter link) that Foster may be a candidate for the injured reserve list with the designation to return.

Foster, who turns 29 later this month, has been slowed by injuries a few times during his six-year NFL career. While he posted excellent numbers for the Texans last season, he did so while missing three games due to a groin injury; in 2013, he only played eight games for Houston.

Depending on the severity of Foster’s injury, which has yet to be confirmed by the Texans, the team could explore the trade market or the free agent market, where veterans like Steven Jackson, Ahmad Bradshaw, Pierre Thomas, Chris Johnson, and ex-Texan Ben Tate remain unsigned. If Houston decides to roll with its in-house options, Alfred Blue would be first in line, with Chris Polk, Jonathan Grimes, and rookie Kenny Hilliard vying for touches as well.

As for Foster, if he does go under the knife and requires a lengthy recovery time, placing him on the IR with the designation to return is an option for the Texans, as Braddock notes. Such a move would force the veteran running back out of action for the first eight weeks of the regular season, however, so the club will have to be certain of the severity of the injury before making a final decision.

Injury Updates: Sunday

November 2nd, 2014 at 5:57pm CST by Dallas Robinson

While we don’t cover every injury here at PFR, we will detail health concerns that could force teams to make significant roster moves. We’ll keep a running list of such injuries here, with the newest updates being added to the top:

  • Cowboys’ defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford suffered a troubling knee injury that involves MCL damage, reports Tim MacMAhon of ESPNDallas.com (via Twitter).
  • Texans‘ running back Arian Foster suffered a groin injury during the loss to the Eagles earlier today, but fortunately it does not look to be serious, reports Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports (via Twitter).

Earlier Updates

  • Eagles quarterback Nick Foles left today’s contest against the Texans and will not return, the team announced. A source tells Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (Twitter link) that the club fears Foles may have a clavicle injury. Mark Sanchez is on in relief of Foles at QB.
  • Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph will not return today after suffering a concussion, tweets John Clayton of ESPN. Meanhwhile, running back Arian Foster headed to the locker room with a head injury, per Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
  • Jets quarterback Michael Vick also went to the locker room after suffering an injury against the Chiefs, reports Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (on Twitter). With Geno Smith inactive, Matt Simms has taken over at QB.
  • Eagles linebacker DeMeco Ryans suffered a non-contact injury, and had to be carted off the field, according to Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
  • Dolphins running back Lamar Miller suffered a shoulder injury against the Chargers and is questionable to return.

AFC South Notes: Richardson, Moncrief, Foster

August 4th, 2014 at 7:45pm CST by Rob DiRe

Trent Richardson is coming off a miserable season after the Colts traded a first-round pick to acquire him early last season, but he is committed to making more of an impact in 2013, writes Stephen Holder of the Indy Star. He wants to contribute as a three-down back, improve his pass protection, and has a goal in his mind in terms of rushing yards. He would not give out the number but admitted that it was higher than 1,000 yards,

Here are some other notes from around the AFC South:

  • A surprise from the Colts‘ depth chart was rookie receiver Donte Moncrief being listed as the teams starting kick returner, writes Mike Wells of ESPN.com.
    “We want to win,” said head coach Chuck Pagano. “If he gives us the best opportunity to win as a kick returner as well as the receiver, then we are going to put him out there.”
  • The Titans had a joint practice with the Falcons today, and rookie offensive tackle Taylor Lewan got his first taste against defensive lineman from an opponent. Lewan held his own, writes John Glennon of the Tennesseean, but drew one flag for holding. He is currently battling with Michael Oher to be the team’s starting right tackle.
  • Texans‘ running back Arian Foster struggled with injuries in 2013, that caused him to consider leaving the game of football. He admitted so in an interview with ESPN’s Hannah Storm. Tania Ganguli, who covers the Texans for the Worldwide Leader, transcribed this part of the interview.

AFC Notes: Bills, Patriots, Broncos, Texans

July 19th, 2014 at 9:41pm CST by Ben Levine

Let’s see what’s going on around the AFC on this Saturday evening…

Browns Expected To Sign Ben Tate

March 15th, 2014 at 10:34am CST by Matt Feminis

Free agent running back Ben Tate is expected to sign with the Browns today, according to John Telich of Fox 8 News in Cleveland. The deal, contingent on Tate passing a physical, is reportedly performance-based, says Telich (via Twitter).

Tate, 25, has played 40 games over three seasons (nine starts in place of injured starter Arian Foster) and totaled 421 carries for 1,992 yards (4.7 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns with 58 receptions for 287 yards (4.9 yards per catch) and zero touchdowns. However, he has been on IR twice in his young career. He missed 2010 because of a broken ankle and dealt with foot, hamstring and rib injuries in 2012.

Tate would join a crowded, albeit undistinguished, Cleveland backfield which includes Edwin Baker, Dion Lewis, Chris Ogbonnaya and Fozzy Whittaker.