Texans release RB Arian Foster, TE Graham
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The Texans released two veterans Thursday -- all-time rushing leader Arian Foster and tight end Garrett Graham.
Foster's agent first tweeted the news, saying, "What a great RUN @ArianFoster had with the @houstonTexans! Thanks to the Texans & I'm personally excited what lies ahead for Arian!" The Texans did confirm on Twitter.
Foster, 30, ended his season early in October last year with an Achilles tendon injury. He hasn't played a full season since 2012. He played with injuries, including a groin injury.
The last time Foster played in all 16 games was in 2012. During the 2015 season, he missed 12 games due to a torn groin suffered during the Texans' first padded training camp practice in August and a torn Achilles tendon in Week 7. He had his second surgery of the season after the tendon tear and missed the rest of the year. He posted career worsts in yards per rush, rushing yards per game and first-down percentage in 2015.
Since becoming the Texans' starting running back in 2010, Foster leads the NFL in carries per game.
The 29-year-old Foster was due a $6.5 million base salary with a salary-cap number of almost $9 million for the 2016 season. By releasing him, the Texans save around $6.6 million, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Sports analysts say Foster is one of the league's best running backs when healthy. He's the Texans all-time leading rusher and no other running back in team history has more touchdowns.
Foster is known for his colorful personality and standout social media quotes.
The question now is what the Texans will do for a running back and what Foster's future will be in football.
Graham gone too
On the same day the Texans announced all-time leading rusher Arian Foster was being released, they made another move, letting tight end Garrett Graham go.
Eyewitness Sports confirmed Graham's release this morning. He had played six seasons with the Texans. He has 100 career receptions and 1,059 yards with the team.
