Report: Texans' Arian Foster may only miss 4-6 weeks after groin surgery

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster, who underwent surgery to repair a groin injury Friday, could return to the field four-to-six weeks after the start of the regular season, sources told Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.

Following the operation to repair a groin muscle that was torn off the bone, it was reported Foster would be out roughly two-to-three months.

Wilson's sources, who were not authorized to speak publicly, expressed a "growing optimism" that Foster will be back quicker than initially expected.

The original expectation was that Foster would be placed on short-term IR and miss the first eight games of the regular season, but if the rusher might return sooner, the Texans could be forced to keep a spot open for him on the active roster.

With a number of issues still to address in the passing game, including the difficult task of replacing Andre Johnson, the offense could use Foster's help to move the ball with any consistency.

Foster, a four-time Pro Bowler, has been one of the Texans' top playmakers over the course of his six-year NFL career. Despite missing three games due to injury last season, he still managed to record 1,246 yards rushing and eight touchdowns, as well as another 327 yards and five scores as a receiver.