Detroit Lions Have Interest in Free Agent RB Arian Foster
By Zac Snyder
This late in the offseason is light on big impact free agents but the Detroit Lions are showing interest in a big name.
The Detroit Lions have no shortage of bodies at running back but they are apparently on the lookout for an upgrade if they can find one. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and other NFL insiders, the Lions plan on bringing in Arian Foster for a free agent workout this week.
Former Texans RB Arian Foster is scheduled to work out for Dolphins on Monday and Lions later this week, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 18, 2016
Of course, the Lions may not actually get a chance to see Foster work out if the Dolphins like what they see and make him an offer to keep him from leaving town. The Dolphins have done some work on Foster already, having hosted him back in March for the two sides to start to get to know one another while they monitored his progress coming back from the Achilles injury that ended his 2015 season.
The Miami Herald reports that the Dolphins would consider making a contract offer after his workout this week if they like what they see.
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While the Dolphins have been linked to Foster for some time now, this is the first report linking him to the Lions.
Foster made quite a name for himself after going undrafted in 2009 but there are major injury concerns beyond the devastating Achilles injury he suffered last October. He has played a full 16-game schedule just twice in his career and has played in just 25 games over the past three seasons.
Even before getting hurt last season, Foster struggled as he averaged just 2.59 yards per attempt, scoring just once on 63 carries. He did add two touchdown receptions. It’s that versatility and his track record when healthy that will have running back-needy teams showing interest.
At this point in his career and given his injury history, a part-time role best suits Foster. That could work in Detroit with Foster competing with the likes of Stevan Ridley, Zach Zenner and George Winn in training camp for a spot as one of the bigger backs in the rotation.
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But as always with Arian Foster, he has to be healthy enough to be on the field first.