Another bad break slows down Texans

Every time the Texans take a step forward, they also seem to take one back.

On Sunday, they broke a three-game losing streak and defeated Arizona 31-21.

Two of the Texans’ touchdowns were courtesy of rookie running back and hometown favorite D’Onta Foreman.

But as Foreman was landing in the end zone for his second touchdown — a 34-yard run that gave the Texans the 31-21 lead in the fourth quarter — he was holding his leg and on his back in pain.

After the game, he made his

way around on a pair of crutches, awaiting his fate.

Unfortunately for him, and the Texans, the news isn’t good. A ruptured Achilles, another surgery for a key player and another playmaker out for the season.

Foreman was in good spirits after the game and hopeful for a positive prognosis.

He wore fellow fallen rookie Deshaun Watson’s jersey to the game Sunday in support of his friend and teammate.

The same day he made that fashion statement, he joined Watson on the injured list.

While Foreman isn’t in the same category as Watson or other injured stars J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus, who both suffered season-ending injuries against the Chiefs, he was starting to play a bigger role in the Texans’ offense.

Like the others who are out for the season, he will be missed.

Need to react quickly

With each big injury — and a slew of small ones that have kept players out of games here and there this season — the Texans have had to move on quickly and adjust.

They haven’t been great at doing so.

It’s tough to lose a key part of a unit, whether it’s Watt’s presence or Mercilus’s tackling on defense or Watson’s constant impact and Foreman’s consistent improvement on offense, and move forward seamlessly.

It’s also tough to have to do so as frequently as the Texans have this season.

The injury bug keeps biting, and they keep having to figure out how to respond.

With a 4-6 record and a trip to Baltimore for “Monday Night Football” staring them in the face, the Texans have to make this adjustment quickly.

Their running game will take a hit. Foreman has steadily improved this year, having his best game of the season Sunday — 10 rushes for 65 yards.

The Texans have seen good production out of starter Lamar Miller, but they will now have to decide if they’ll sign another running back to strengthening their rushing attack in a hurry.

On Monday, coach Bill O’Brien said he and general manager Rick Smith would look at options soon and decide if they’ll need to bring someone on to replace Foreman.

In the meantime, it’s back to the old “next man up” mentality — one that the Texans are all too familiar with this year.

Offensive lineman Chris Clark has said repeatedly that the team doesn’t have time to sit and worry about who they’ve lost.

It is easier said than done, though.

After Watson went out for the season, the Texans lost the next two games and his replacement, Tom Savage, looked lost at times on the field.

He looked a lot better in their win Sunday, but it took him time to find his footing and get to a point of being comfortable.

Whoever comes in and is expected to take on Foreman’s carries will need time, and that’s not a luxury this team has right now.

The Texans need wins if they want any chance at a postseason appearance.

They’ll have to hope the next men up can carry the load.

Better than good

The players the Texans have lost long term to injuries this season all have something extra. They aren’t just good football players. Watt and Mercilus brought veteran experience and leadership. Foreman and Watson brought spunk and energy.

In addition to their injuries, the Texans have dealt with an array of concussions — most recently Kevin Johnson, who is in the NFL’s concussion protocol. They also have dealt with less serious, but time-consuming, injuries like Will Fuller’s current cracked rib. There isn’t a set timetable on his return.

Injuries are a big part of football. There’s no way to avoid them.

But good teams have to be able to replace the injured quickly and respond with wins.

The Texans will have to try to do that yet again.

The latest is a big blow. Foreman was starting to take off and bring excitement back to the field.

Now he joins the others who won’t be back with the team any time soon.

It’s next man up for the Texans.

Again.