Concern about the Texans' running back position is on Gary Kubiak's mind. He tried quantifying the exact level his worry reached.
"On a scale of what? One to..." the head coach said. "The highest number, whatever that is."
Arian Foster's hurt.
So is Ben Tate.
Cierre Wood's gone.
Three players who weren't on the 53-man roster to begin the week, might be active this Sunday night.
"I'm very concerned," Kubiak said.
Foster is nursing a sore hamstring he injured in the first quarter during Week 7 at Kansas City. Tate is recuperating from cracked ribs suffered in the same contest. Wood was waived a week ago.
Today the Texans added running backs Deji Karim and Dennis Johnson, and elevated running back Ray Graham from the practice squad. While the latter three are healthy and ready, the former two haven't been ruled out for Week 9.
"We understand Ben's situation," Kubiak said. "I think they're both going to give us everything they can to try and play this week. I don't think we're going to know anything until later in the week, which is probably a good thing."
Foster worked primarily with the medical training staff on a side field Monday morning, and remains optimistic about suiting up against the Colts.
"Yeah, opened up pretty good today," Foster said. "I expect to practice this week and push towards playing."
Tate said he also thinks he'll be able to go against Indianapolis, despite the cracked ribs.
"I'm dealing with them pretty well right now," Tate said. "Every day, they get better and better. I think
by Sunday, I'll be fine and good to go."
In the preseason, Karim, Johnson and Graham battled with Wood for the third running back spot on the roster. Karim gained 112 yards on 21 carries in three preseason games, and also contributed as a returner.
Kubiak was enthused with what he saw from Johnson, who was signed from Cleveland's practice squad, on Monday.
"You can tell DJ's been working and been on a team, just because of the way he came back and worked," Kubiak said.
The Texans are off on Tuesday, and will resume practice on Wednesday morning.
**
[
