The Houston Texans released running back Arian Foster Thursday morning after seven seasons. The Texans running back has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career and only played in four games this past season due to groin surgery in the preseason and a torn Achilles in October.
The 29-year-old running back has only completed a full 16-game season twice in his NFL career, but he is considered an elite running back when healthy. Foster rushed for 1,246 yards and scored eight touchdowns in 13 games during the 2014 season, and he could make a strong addition to multiple backfields in the NFL.
"I'm pondering entering the last couple, 3-4 years of my career and I'm thinking about what life will be like after football and I'm looking at the game differently," said Foster last month. The Texans said that they wouldn't release Foster for money reasons, and after playing in only 25 of 48 games in the past three seasons, Houston's front office likely felt that it was time to move on.
The Texans were already expected to be looking for a running back in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft, and with Foster off their roster, the glaring need for the position only becomes bigger. Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott could make a strong fit in Houston's backfield, but he is considered the top running back in the upcoming draft and is unlikely to still be on the board for the Texans with the 22nd pick.
While the Texans are now looking to add a running back to their roster, Foster becomes a free agent that should draw interest on the open market. The Patriots, Raiders, Seahawks and Cowboys are in the market for a running back this offseason, and it's unknown if any of them would have a legitimate interest in the four-time, 1,000-yard plus rusher.
Any teams that have interest in Foster will want to know that he is fully healthy following his Achilles tear last season, and teams that use dual running backs like the Seahawks or Patriots could make sense for the Texans all-time leading rusher. Foster was recently cleared to resume jogging, and expect the talented running back to look to make an impact next season, as he will have opportunities.
