The Sports Xchange

HOUSTON – Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien keeps inching closer to declaring that Pro Bowl running back Arian Foster is back, characterizing him as a game-time decision Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

O’Brien said that decision on the four-time Pro Bowl selection may not be made until 90 minutes before kickoff Sunday morning, or Saturday evening.

Foster has practiced for the past two weeks as he works his way back from groin surgery he underwent in August. Foster has said he won’t return to play until he’s 100 percent.

Texans offensive coordinator George Godsey was complimentary of Foster’s work in practice. Foster has been in good spirits and upbeat about his progress. He’s had no setbacks in his rehabilitation.

–No longer slowed by a mild sprained medial collateral ligament that sidelined him during the preseason, Texans second-round inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney emerged as a starter in his third NFL game last Sunday.

The 6-foot-4, 246-pound rookie replaced veteran Akeem Dent and started next to middle linebacker Brian Cushing and had two tackles, one for a loss, on 20 defensive snaps in a 19-9 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also played 15 snaps on special teams at NRG Stadium.

“I thought he played well,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said of McKinney. “I thought he understood the game plan, and I think he’s a guy that will continue to get better and better. He’s got a really good work ethic, got a good nose for the ball, and I thought overall he played a good game.”

McKinney, who has 4.6 speed in the 40-yard dash and a 40½-inch vertical leap, had 244 career tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and seven pass breakups in 39 college games at Mississippi State.

Drafted 43rd overall and signed to a four-year, $5.345 million contract that includes $3.26 million guaranteed and a $2.147 million signing bonus, McKinney had an official visit with the Texans prior to the NFL draft along with the Ravens, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears.

“I’m just trying to help the team, do what I’m supposed to do,” McKinney said. “The more experience you get, I was telling Cush (linebacker Brian Cushing) during the game, it helps me out throughout the whole game. He helped me out to stay on the same page and (linebackers coach Mike) Vrabel. This was definitely a confidence-booster. I’m hoping to get better every week.”