By KRISTIE RIEKEN, AP Sports Writer
Arian Foster’s time with the Houston Texans has ended after seven seasons.
The four-time Pro Bowler, who was scheduled to make $6.5 million next season, was released on Thursday after a season when he missed 12 games with groin and Achilles tendon injuries.
General manager Rick Smith announced the move.
“There are not many players I respect more than Arian Foster,” Smith said. “He maximized his opportunity as an undrafted college free agent and worked to become the most productive back in franchise history and one of the most complete backs in the NFL during his tenure with the Texans. Arian has contributed much and meant a great deal to the success of the franchise over the past seven seasons and we wish him only the best as he continues his playing career.”
Houston also released tight end Garrett Graham and safety Rahim Moore.
The 29-year old spent time on the practice squad before rising to lead the NFL in rushing with 1,616 yards in 2010.
Foster ran for 1,246 yards in 2014 for the fourth 1,000-yard rushing season of his career.
He leaves Houston with a franchise-record 6,472 yards rushing and was also a threat out of the backfield, grabbing 249 receptions for 2,268 yards in his career. Foster, who went undrafted out of Tennessee before signing with the Texans in 2009, started on Houston’s practice squad before being elevated to the roster for the last six games of that season.
After his spectacular 2010 season, when he led the NFL in rushing and also in yards from scrimmage with 2,220, he ran for 1,224 yards in 13 games in 2011, helping Houston to its first playoff berth. The Texans rewarded his work that offseason when they signed him to a five-year, $43.5 million contract.
In his first season after the new contract he rushed for 1,424 yards on an NFL-high 351 carries and he also led the league with 15 rushing touchdowns, The Texans once again reached the postseason.
He played just eight games in 2013 before his season was ended by a back injury that required surgery. He rebounded with his big performance in 2014 before finishing with a career-low 163 yards rushing in his injury-plagued 2015 campaign.
Foster is recovering from surgery to repair his torn Achilles tendon and has said that he plans to play this season.
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