HOUSTON -- Houston running back Arian Foster returned to practice Wednesday after missing the season opener because of a left hamstring injury. wholesale jerseys . Coach Gary Kubiak said Foster took the normal repetitions for a starter in the workout. "I guess the key probably is how he comes out of practice (Thursday)," Kubiak said. "Does he feel good? But everything was positive today at practice, so well see." Kubiak was encouraged by how Foster looked in his return Wednesday. "I think its about him getting his confidence back and just cutting it loose," he said. "I just told him to be smart today, but hes on top of his stuff." Foster was happy to get back on the field after dealing with the injury for so long. "It felt good," he said. "It was pretty fluid, but youve got to ease along hamstring injuries, so Im just going to take it day by day and see how I feel." Foster, who ran for 1,616 yards last season to lead the league, has been bothered with the injury for a month. He believes the time off has helped, but wasnt prepared to say hed definitely be ready to play Sunday. "Thats the plan, but you never know with hamstring injuries," he said. "Theyre tricky man, sometimes they sneak up on you." Fosters teammates were excited to have him back. "Arian is a big part of our offence and it would be great to have him out there," Andre Johnson said. "He looked good today on the carries that he got, so hopefully as the week goes on hell keep getting better and we can have him out there on Sunday." If Foster is able to play at Miami, Kubiak says he wouldnt expect any limitations on how he is used. "If he can play, you play. There wont be being careful with him," Kubiak said. "You may say this is how many times hes going to touch it, but you cant do something half speed out there. Wed have to see, but if hes ready to go, he puts us at our best and hell be out there." The Texans are also dealing with an injury to backup Derrick Ward, who started last Sunday. Ward didnt practice Wednesday because of a sprained right ankle and was wearing a walking boot. If Foster and Ward are both still out Sunday, the Texans could use Ben Tate, who ran for 116 yards and a touchdown against the Colts after missing all of his rookie season last year with a broken ankle. Along with Ward, receiver Kevin Walter also missed practice with an injured left shoulder. Kubiak didnt have a timetable for his return, but said his shoulder was "badly bruised." Notes: The Texans signed receiver David Anderson and released defensive end Tim Bulman on Wednesday. nfl jerseys china . The two likeliest players to be named captain of Canadas Olympic mens hockey team for Sochi appear to be Jonathan Toews and Sidney Crosby. wholesale nfl jerseys . In the mens tournament, Novak Djokovic withdrew before the start of the event because of a right wrist injury that had already affected his play at Monte Carlo last month. "I did everything possible in order to play in Madrid," Djokovic said.CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Krys Kolanos had two goals and three assists Sunday as the Abbotsford Heat hammered the Charlotte Checkers 8-2 in the American Hockey League. Paul Byron added two goals and an assist for Abbotsford (40-26-8), while Dustin Slyvester chipped in with a goal and three assiists. cheap nfl jerseys. Hugh Jessiman and Ben Walter also scored for the Heat, who got 22 saves from Danny Taylor. Brett Sutter and Riley Nash replied for Charlotte (35-28-9). Mike Murphy allowed five goals on 24 shots for the Checkers. Justin Peters made 13 saves in relief. ' ' '
