When the Houston Texans signed a trio of running backs off the street on Monday, it was a tacit admission that Arian Foster's hamstring injury and Ben Tate's four broken ribs might keep the two running backs out of this week's game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Coach Gary Kubiak confirmed as much on Tuesday.
"I'm very concerned," Kubiak said, via the Houston Chronicle. "We understand Ben's situation. I think they're both going to give us everything they can to try and play this week. I don't think we're going to know anything until later in the week, which is probably a good thing."
Tate has said he plans to play Sunday, but that's far from a certainty. Foster is showing improvement after graduating to light running Monday.
In the meantime, Kubiak is preparing Deji Karim, Ray Graham and Dennis Johnson to play in a worst-case scenario.
Here are the rest of Tuesday's injury updates:
- The Rams escaped a scare when running back Zac Stacy's late-game injury was diagnosed as a low-ankle sprain. The rookie broke off five runs of 10-plus yards against the Seahawks on Monday night, leading Seattle defensive end Red Bryant to the conclusion that Stacy and the Rams' offensive line "just kicked our ass."
- Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice tore his ACL and is out for the season, the team announced.
- Seahawks coach Pete Carroll labeled Percy Harvin "day to day" with no idea if the receiver will play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. According to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports, Harvin was on track to play versus the Rams until his surgically repaired hip flared up last Thursday. That being the case, it would behoove Carroll to play it conservatively with Harvin's return to game action.
- Jay Cutler is pushing to beat his four-week timetable to return from a torn groin muscle. Chicago Bears coach Marc Trestman conceded, however, that Cutler is "highly unlikely" to play against the Green Bay Packers on Monday.
- Packers tight end Jermichael Finley said he plans to play football again and "the question is not if I'll play again, but when." Packers doctors don't yet know if the injury will end Finley's season.
- Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said Tuesday that Nick Foles has been medically cleared to practice. The quarterback will split reps with rookie Matt Barkley. Foles suffered a concussion in Week 7 against the Dallas Cowboys.
- The New England Patriots placed Sebastian Vollmer on injured reserve, ending the offensive tackle's season. Vollmer broke his right leg in the the Patriots' 27-17 win over the Miami Dolphins.
- The Rams believe offensive lineman Harvey Dahlinjured his MCL, but the severity is still unknown, coach Jeff Fisher said. If Dahl can't go, offensive lineman Shelley Smith will replace Dahl, Fisher said.
- Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Brian Waters is out for the season after injuring his triceps during Sunday's loss to the Detroit Lions. Team owner Jerry Jones announced the news on his weekly radio program Tuesday. The departure of Waters, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, opens the door for Mackenzy Bernadeau at right guard.
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