NFL: Houston Texans running back Arian Foster ruled out of Cleveland Browns game
Sunday 16 November 2014 14:55, UK
Houston Texans running back Arian Foster has officially been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns with a groin injury.
Foster, who is second in the NFL with 822 yards rushing, sustained the injury in the Texans 31-21 defeat to the Eagles on November 2 and sat out practice all this week with the injury.
With Houston on a bye last week there was initially some optimism Foster would have sufficient time to recover but the team confirmed on Saturday he would miss his second game of the season – he also sat the Texans’ Week 3 loss to the New York Giants with a hamstring injury.
Alfred Blue, who has rushed for 234 yards on 68 carries this season, will likely start in his place, with Jonathan Grimes backing him up.
Elsewhere, Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard was ruled out of Sunday’s clash with the New Orleans Saints.
This will be third straight game the second-year year player will miss as he continues his recovery from hip and clavicle injuries.
Rookie Jeremy Hill will be asked to shoulder the load for the team’s running game in Bernard’s absence.
Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush will also have the weekend off after after aggravating an ankle injury Week 10 against Miami.
He was unable to train all week and will sit out the clash with the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, with Joique Bell likely to get the majority of the carries and second-year running back Theo Riddick likely to be used as a pass threat from the backfield.
Meanwhile, the New York Giants have placed running back Peyton Hillis on the season-ending injured reserve after he suffered a concussion in the team’s Week 10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
This is the second straight year that Hillis has been sidelined by a concussion – he missed a game last December with the same issue, also suffered against the Seahawks.
Watch the Seahawks against the Chiefs followed by the Eagles taking on the Packers on Sunday. Live coverage starts at 5.30pm on Sky Sports 2.