The buzz surrounding Arian Foster during the beginning practices of Miami Dolphins training camp indicated the team believed he could be the lead running back in 2016.
Yet, Jay Ajayi was named atop the depth chart, Foster sat the first preseason game and had just two carries for -5 yards on nine snaps in his debut Friday.
Coming off an Achilles injury, the Dolphins have eased Foster back into the rotation. Coach Adam Gase said Foster should have a bigger role in Thursday's third preseason tilt versus the Atlanta Falcons.
"We didn't have much to evaluate," Gase said of Foster's preseason workload, via the Miami Herald. "Whatever carries he had, there wasn't much there to try to create. He did a couple of things on his own. Hopefully we can take a long look at him this week. I don't want to overdo it with him. Obviously, his resume speaks for itself."
That resume includes a plethora of soft-tissue injuries that have derailed the four-time Pro Bowl running back. Foster hasn't played a full 16-game slate since 2012. Last year, the injuries clearly slowed him (2.6 yards per carry on 63 attempts in four games) before he blew the Achilles.
Foster will split time with Ajayi Thursday night as the first-team unit plays extended minutes. Ajayi hasn't exactly locked down the lead gig through the first two preseason games, leaving the window open for Foster to earn additional carries when the season starts.
Thursday we'll get our first good look at whether Foster's speed and cutting ability have returned to 2014 levels. If they are, he should have the leg up on the competition, unless/until another injury strikes.
