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HOUSTON -- Houston running back Arian Foster was removed from the physically unable to perform list Wednesday and practiced with the Texans for the first time since May. Foster strained his right calf in an off-season practice in late May and struggled with a sore back after recovering from that injury. "Its really important," coach Gary Kubiak said. "Hes been working, its not like hes been standing around. Hes been trying to get all that soreness out and he felt really good the last two days. I think we took a big step forward." Kubiak thought that Foster would have returned to practice sooner than he did, but he understood why he was out as long as he was. "I was watching him work and watching what he was going though so I felt confident that we were close and ready to go," Kubiak said. "I also understand how important it was that they did it at the right time. The key is Arian felt good about it today and thats the most important thing." Foster rushed for 1,424 yards and 15 touchdowns last year for his third straight 1,200-yard season. Kubiak doesnt expect Foster to play Sunday against the Saints and he likely wont play in Houstons final preseason game on Aug. 29 at Dallas. But that wont keep him from being ready for Houstons opener at San Diego on Sept. 9. "I dont think its a must that he carry the ball in preseason to be ready for San Diego," Kubiak said. Foster wasnt sure if hed see preseason action, but didnt sound like he was angling to play before the opener. "Im not a huge fan of preseason," he said. "I feel like Ill be ready for Sept. 9 without (it). Ive just got to get myself acclimated." He said it was a bit frustrating to deal with his back situation after recovering from the calf injury, but he was never concerned that the problems would bleed into the regular season. "I know my body and I knew it wasnt a huge issue," he said. "I had to give it time." The Texans have relied on Ben Tate and a group of mostly rookie running backs while Foster was injured. Quarterback Matt Schaub said it was a boost to see Foster on the field on Wednesday. "It was great to see him back out there and see his explosiveness," Schaub said. "After all his rehab he looked pretty fresh. It was great to have him back in the huddle and get another piece of the puzzle back." Foster is excited about the possibilities for the offence with the new pieces they added in the off-season led by receiver DeAndre Hopkins, chosen in the first-round of this years draft. "Weve got all the potential in the world, weve just got to go execute," Foster said. "Obviously we have a bunch of talent here and its always fun to watch." Foster went through some changes in his life during the off-season, with he and his wife welcoming their first son. He said he mostly just sleeps and eats now, but he cant wait for him to get old enough to run around and play. But hes hoping that his boy doesnt follow in his footsteps in a few years, saying an emphatic "no" when asked about the possibility of him playing football one day. "If he wants to its cool," Foster said. "I love the game and everything but this hurts. Its a lot of work. Let daddy put in the work so you can go study art or something." .com) - Hassan Whiteside scored 20 points with nine rebounds in the Miami Heats 83-75 win over the Boston Celtics on Sunday. . The 29-year-old from Port Colborne, Ont., who trains out of San Diego, will fight bantamweight champion (Rowdy) Ronda Rousey on July 5 in the co-main event of UFC 175 in Las Vegas. . Robert Griffin III, the No. 2 pick in the 2012 draft, set numerous rookie records and was picked AP Offensive Rookie of the Year for the Washington Redskins. . Vonn punctuated her near-perfect season in perfect fashion Friday, earning her fourth overall World Cup title with a dominating giant slalom victory. .com) - Rick Nash scored twice and Derek Stepan chipped in a goal with one assist as the New York Rangers claimed a 5-2 decision over Calgary at the Saddledome.The Swedish team just got a huge boost from the Carolina Hurricanes as forward Elias Lindholm has been made available for the 2014 World Junior Hockey Championship in Malmo. Lindholm - the fifth overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft - has appeared in 21 games with the Hurricanes this season, scoring three goals and four assists. He has also appeared in six games for the Charlotte Checkers of the Amerrican Hockey League.dddddddddddd The 19-year-old scored two goals and added two assists in six games at the 2013 World Juniors in Ufa, Russia, helping the Swedish team win a silver medal. He is expected to join the Swedish team on Dec. 22. The tournament begins on Dec. 26 in Malmo, Sweden. The news was announced on the official web site of the Swedish Hockey Federation Monday morning. ' ' '
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