http://espn.go.com/blog/afcsouth/post/_/id/16728/texans-will-rest-foster-with-more-wardWhen the Texans signed Derrick Ward, they had lost Ben Tate and were banged up at running back. They were confident Arian Foster would be good, but they didnt know hed be the NFLs leading rusher as they got to their bye after six weeks.
Ward played well when Foster was benched for most of the first half of the win at Oakland and Sunday in a win over the Chiefs he was a big contributor again with three carries for 58 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown in the third quarter that cut a two touchdown lead for the Chiefs in half.
Hes telling us we need to get him on the field more, coach Gary Kubiak told Houston reporters Tuesday. Arian will be totally fresh if hes playing, if not then Derrick will be out there. We were even talking about how good he looked just practicing today. Remember when he came in, we talked about him losing six or seven pounds? Hes down now and is really going to help us down the stretch.
Ward said hes excited about the possibility of getting to showcase what he can do.
More from the Chron:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7254897.htmlWard up
He has a 1,000-yard season under his belt, in 2008 with the New York Giants, which is something no other Texans running back besides Steve Slaton can boast. And if not for Arian Foster, Derrick Ward looks good enough at the moment to do it again.
He feels good enough, too.
"I'm able to get out there and feel fresh when my number is called," said Ward, who has carried the ball 17 times for 141 yards and three touchdowns. "Hopefully, I'll be able to replicate what I did (with the Giants)."
Coach Gary Kubiak said Ward was about 6 or 7 pounds over his optimum playing weight when the Texans acquired him. Now that he's dropped that extra weight, he's been so impressive that Kubiak has no qualms whatsoever about using Ward to spell Foster.
"He's going to really help us down the stretch," Kubiak said.
Ward is just 30, but because Slaton and Foster are both 24, he's considered the old man of the group. When told Foster was mocking his age, Ward said to Foster, "You want to go to the YMCA?"
Without missing a beat, Foster replied, "Didn't you found that?"