Heat is on for RB Foreman
Going into third season, exUT star D’Onta Foreman has much to prove.
Sweat dripped down D’Onta Foreman’s face as he worked through Saturday’s training camp under the weight of his pads in the July sun with other Texans running backs on the practice fields.
It was the first day the team worked out in full pads. By 9:30 a.m., the temperature had reached 90 degrees and the heat swelled from there. Wiping his face with a towel, Foreman grinned when practice ended. “It’s a little hot,” he said.
But Foreman didn’t care. For the running back, every day is another chance to play football. Every day is another chance to prove himself.
This is a crucial offseason for Foreman and so far, he’s performed well. He’s leaner, quicker, healthy and ready. The Texans need that and more from him.
Foreman, 23, is a player for whom the Texans have high hopes. He’s a guy the city wants to see succeed.
And when he started out in the NFL a couple of years ago, his potential intrigued everyone who watched him.
Motivated by injury
In his rookie season, he rushed for 327 yards and two touchdowns before tearing his Achilles tendon. Last season, he returned to play late in the regular season against the Eagles. In that game — the only one he played in last year — Foreman caught one touchdown pass. But he rushed for minus-1 yard.
He didn’t look like the fearless, explosive back he had been before, and questions as to how well he would fare in his comeback surfaced.
Foreman took that to heart and dedicated this offseason to improving.
The Texans have Lamar Miller to lead the way when it comes to running back, and the veteran has proved capable. They need Foreman to be a valuable and consistent backup for Miller to bolster the offense the season.
Foreman knows it. So he put in the work all offseason. He wanted every part of his game to improve. He has a new outlook since his injury. He understands there are no guarantees when it comes to having a spot on the team. Foreman decided to control what he could control.
“Really, I touched everything,” Foreman said of his offseason workouts and routines. “From conditioning to strength, to lower body strength, to just getting treatment, making sure my Achilles and everything in my body is just aligned. This was really the first time where I really just started to take the initiative to do extra stuff with my body and making sure that I wasn’t having any pain anywhere. I’ve just got to keep that up.”
O’Brien impressed
And while he’s looked good in offseason practices to this point, Saturday was a telling day. Going through a practice in full pads is a different animal.
“The pads are a big deal for that position, especially in a running game,” coach Bill O’Brien said.
Foreman felt good after practice. Despite the heat, despite being tired, despite getting back in full pads for the first time in months, he was upbeat and ready to keep going.
“I really did feel good,” Foreman said. “It was a good day. Really competitive.”
O’Brien said he’s impressed with the way Foreman showed up for camp this year. He’s praised him several times for being in shape and ready to go.
On Saturday, the coach said he’s happy to see how well Foreman’s comeback from the tough injury is going. And with that, O’Brien added he thinks Foreman can bring a lot to the table for the team.
“I have high expectations for him,” O’Brien said. “I think that he’s a talented guy. He’s from this area (Texas City). I know he wants to do well. I just think that he’s got a chance to be a really good football player. I think if he’s healthy and consistent and showing up day to day and putting the work in, he’s got the chance to be good.”
Foreman is powerful and quick. He’s effective in shortyardage situations. He’s as competitive as they come.
Rushers need upgrade
The Texans’ running game could use the boost it would get from a healthy, consistent Foreman. He has the potential to elevate the offensive unit. And Foreman intends to show everyone he’s capable of that.
“Missing the whole season pretty much, there’s a lot of stuff people haven’t seen from me in a while,” he said. “So, you’ve got to go out there and just, like I said, take it day by day and just try to make my mark again.”
And he will love every second spent trying to become a great football player at the highest level.
“It means a lot to be out here,” Foreman said. “This is what I’ve always wanted to do, being out there on the football field with my teammates and just competing.
“I try not to take it for granted at all because going through a season where you don’t really get to play and you’re just out here every day watching the rest of the guys compete, that was hard. So, the fact that I’m out here and I’m healthy, I’ll take every day and I really respect the fact that I’m out here.”