For the second straight day, Arian Foster was not at practice. The running back missed Thursday's work at the Houston Methodist Training Center because of a back injury.
"They're still evaluating his injury," interim head coach Wade Phillips said. "He's seeing the doctors again."
Foster left Sunday's loss to the Colts early in the first quarter. In Week 7 at Kansas City, he exited that contest in the first quarter with a hamstsring injury. When asked about the specifics of Foster's back, Phillips answered with a joke.
"They don't tell me anything. I'm just the Interim," Phillips said.
If Foster doesn't play, the duo of Ben Tate and Dennis Johnson would likely be the first two running backs to get carries. Phillips detailed who the third ball-carrier would likely be.
"We haven't determined that yet," Phillips said. "I would say Deji Karim has the best chance I guess right now."
Phillips was particularly impressed with what Johnson contributed on Sunday night.
"I think he added a lot last game," Phillips said. "Between he and Ben last game, looked like to me, he was a good change up guy. We had a guy last year that was kind of that way. But I thought he did a good job in the ball game. We'll try to utilize him again."
Johnson, according to Phillips, might also contribute in the return game as well.
