For the past seven seasons, the Houston Texans offense has centered around their outstanding running back, Arian Foster.
Foster has long been considered one of the NFL’s top backs when healthy, and though injuries have been an issue throughout his career, no one questions Foster’s talent when on the field.
Despite his standing as the Texans’ all-time leading rusher, the team announced that they had released Foster according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
Big move: Arian Foster has been told the Texans are releasing him, per a source close to him. After great run, Foster finished in Houston.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2016
Texans General Manager Rick Smith had nothing but the best to say about Foster in a released statement as well via ESPN:
“There are not many players I respect more than Arian Foster,” Texans general manager Rick Smith said in a statement. “He maximized his opportunity as an undrafted college free agent and worked to become the most productive back in franchise history, and one of the most complete backs in the NFL during his tenure with the Texans.”
The Texans will save about $6.6 million by releasing Foster, but the loss of the franchise’s all-time leading rusher will still be a major one. Foster missed the majority of last season, playing in only four games due to injury.
Foster will be one of many big name running backs available in free agency this season. The Chicago Bears recently released Matt Forte, and Doug Martin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is also expected to get a nice contract as well.
