The Arian Foster era is reportedly over in Houston. The Texans plan to release their star running back, per Adam Schefter.
Big move: Arian Foster has been told the Texans are releasing him, per a source close to him. After great run, Foster finished in Houston.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2016
Foster has been with the team since 2009, but has not played a full 16-game season since 2012. This past season, he only managed to play in four games before a torn Achilles prematurely ended his season. At times, Foster showed flashes of his old self, but his overall rushing numbers were fairly disappointing. He totaled just 163 yards on 63 carries and managed only one touchdown. However, he still demonstrated the capability to be a receiving threat out of the backfield, catching 22 balls for 227 yards and two additional scores.
Despite his battles with injuries, Foster is the all-time franchise leader in rush attempts (1,454), rushing yards (6,472), and rushing touchdowns (54).
Foster is set to turn 30 entering the 2016 season, and the Texans brass apparently felt $6.5 million was too much to pay an aging running back coming off of a devastating Achilles injury.
The news does not come as much of a surprise. Reports emerged back in January the Texans were likely to cut the former All-Pro, but that the move would not be related to salary.
Foster is not the only longtime star to be cut by his only NFL team today. Carolina announced it would be parting ways with defensive end Charles Johnson who has been with the team since 2007. Johnson is second in franchise history with 63.5 sacks.
The #Panthers have released veteran DE Charles Johnson
📰 » https://t.co/4pbmw38W6J pic.twitter.com/Yyvnh3pYpa
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) March 3, 2016
Both Foster and Johnson are likely to have many suitors this offseason, but neither should expect teams to come close to matching the $6.5 million and $15 million salaries they were owed by their former teams for 2016, respectively.
