Arian Foster could return as early as Week 3, reports say

Turns out Arian Foster is coming back a lot sooner than initially thought, which is excellent news for the Houston Texans, who weren’t exactly thrilled about their other options at running back. It confirms an earlier report from a Houston radio station that claimed Foster would likely return sometime between Weeks 2-4.

Arian Foster’s quicken recovery is a good news for the fantasy owners who were able to snag him in late rounds. But according to a recent report by NFL.com, Foster could be back earlier in the season. Foster was originally expected to start the season on injured reserve/designated for return, but it now appears Week 3 against the Buccaneers is a real possibility.

The 4-time Pro Bowler ran for 1246 yards last season in what was a massive comeback season for him following the 2013 season, which he missed half of.

When Foster, 29, is healthy (which isn’t always the case), he’s one of the top backs in the NFL. His value, along with the Texans’ playoff hopes, gets a big boost.

Looking ahead at the upcoming season, the Texans could very well compete in the AFC South. They are being counted out by most analysts, but they are a much better team than many are giving them credit for. Blue should get plenty of volume with Brian Hoyer at quarterback, but he’s a middling flex play against the Chiefs’ front four. He is one of the hottest names from an injury standpoint right now and the league knows just how important he is.