After spending nearly one year rehabbing his way back from Achilles surgery, D'Onta Foreman is healthy and ready to prove it.
"We have high expectations for him," head coach Bill O'Brien said at the NFL annual meeting on Tuesday. "We think he's a very talented guy: big, can run, can catch the ball out of the backfield, very instinctive, tough runner. We're expecting him to come back, ready to go and we've heard that's going to be the case. He's working hard and we're looking forward to seeing him back in the building."
The Texans third-year running back has been posting workout videos on his Instagram and looks to be as quick and shifty as he was during a promising rookie season.
Foreman rushed for 327 yards on 78 carries for two touchdowns and caught six passes for 83 yards before he ruptured his Achilles in Week 11 of the 2017 season. He then spent most of the 2018 season on the Physically Unable to Perform list until being activated on Dec. 4. Last year, Foreman saw action in just one regular season game, catching two passes for 28 yards and a touchdown in his season debut at Philadelphia on Dec. 23. Foreman, who also played in the Wild Card loss against Indianapolis, never quite found his rhythm once he returned to the field late last year. However, O'Brien is encouraged by what he sees in the Texas City native.
"I was happy he was able to get in there a little bit at the end of the season even though it wasn't a lot of time," O'Brien said. "It wasn't the most production that he wanted for himself but at least he came back and played a little bit to know that, ok here's where I'm at, here's what I need to do in the offseason. From everything that we hear, he's really working hard and he's ready to go. It's a big year for him. I've said that. He knows that. He's a good guy, he's a really talented player and he can really help our football team so we'll be looking forward to seeing him when he comes back on the 15th ."
Texans players will report for the start of their nine-week offseason program on April 15.
