The Sports Xchange

The Houston Texans plan to sign former New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas following the news of Arian Foster suffering a serious groin injury that likely will require surgery.

Thomas had a successful tryout Wednesday, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Thomas, 30, was cut in March by the Saints one year into a two-year, $2.404 million contract extension that included a $1.245 million signing bonus. In eight NFL seasons, all with the Saints, Thomas has rushed for 3,745 yards and 28 touchdowns while averaging 4.6 yards per carry. He led the Saints in rushing three years and caught 77 passes for 513 yards in 2013.

Foster probably will miss the start of the regular season. He could be placed on short-term injured reserve, which would allow the Texans to bring him back to practices after Week 6 and into a game after Week 8.

Foster suffered the injury when he pulled up with a limp during a pass play Monday night. After practice, head coach Bill O’Brien downplayed the severity of Foster’s injury.

“We’ve got to monitor Arian,” O’Brien said, “like I told you guys that in the offseason and I think that’s what that’s all about today.”

Foster, 28, missed 11 games in the past two seasons due to injuries and played in 13 games last year. He finished with 1,246 rushing yards and 327 receiving yards for 13 total touchdowns Houston in 2014.

Behind Foster, the Texans have Alfred Blue, Jonathan Grimes, Chris Polk and rookie Kenny Hilliard.