Texans running back Arian Foster practiced three days last week and was back on the field with his teammates on Wednesday, but the next and final step in his path back to the starting lineup doesn’t look like it will come this weekend.
Coach Bill O’Brien said that Foster has been “looking really good” during his practice work, although that’s not enough for him to get the green light for this Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers.
“I don’t think Arian will play this week,” O’Brien said, via the team’s website.
Assuming O’Brien’s opinion doesn’t change, the Texans could be quite thin offensively when the Bucs get to town. Left tackle Duane Brown remains out with a hand injury and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins missed Wednesday’s practice because of a concussion, which doesn’t shape up to be a recipe for great success for quarterback Ryan Mallett in his second start this season.