Houston Texans' Arian Foster Could be Out 3 to 4 Weeks: Report

Houston Texans star running back Arian Foster could be out three to four weeks with an injured hamstring, according to ESPN.

ESPN's John Clayton reports that Foster didn't practice again on Friday and that his hamstring injury looks like a three to four week injury.

Foster has been hobbled by an injured hamstring all off-season, though he has maintained that he would still be able to start the season on Sept. 11 against the Indianapolis Colts. But on Thursday, Foster gave his most revealing indication that he might not be ready to play Week 1.

With hamstrings, it's not something you can push through, Foster told reporters on Thursday. When you try to push through, it's just going to reoccur.

It's something that has to heal completely before you can come back completely.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak said that Foster is still day-to-day and that Foster will test his hamstring again on Saturday. If Foster is unable to play, Clayton reports that backup Derrick Ward will likely get to start.

The Houston Chronicle's John McClain confirmed Clayton's report, saying on Twitter that he expected Ward and Ben Tate to play on Sunday.

Fantasy Football Analysis: If you have Foster on your team, this isn't the news that you want to see. Reports throughout the preseason have indicated that Foster might not be ready to go to start the season, especially after Foster tweeted out a picture of his MRI, but the running back remained steadfast that he'd be ready to go.

Now his most recent comments plus Clayton's report add increasing doubt that he'll be able to play against the Colts. Losing Foster for three to four weeks could be a major blow, but it's likely a better alternative than Foster rushing back too early and blowing out his hamstring.

Tate was considered the most popular handcuff to Foster, but Ward remains No. 2 on the depth chart and is the most likely candidate to start in Foster's spot. If you haven't already done so, pick up Ward if he's available in any of your leagues.