The Sports Xchange

With running back Arian Foster expected to miss half the season, the Houston Texans seemingly need help at the position. But owner Bob McNair apparently has no interest in signing controversial Ray Rice.

“I think I’d want to talk with our players, and I don’t know that that’s something that they would like,” McNair said Thursday. “We want people that fit in our locker room.”

McNair’s comments came a couple of days after Cleveland Browns coach Mike Pettine said his staff had discussed the possibility of adding Rice. The Dallas Cowboys, also in apparent need of help at the position, reportedly are not interested.

Rice has been out of the NFL since the Baltimore Ravens released him last September in the wake of a viral video that showed him knocking out his then-fiancée with a punch.

Earlier this month, Rice told ESPN that he has undergone counseling and is continuing to speak against domestic violence.

“I’m not afraid to say right now I’m a rehabilitated man,” Rice said. “Some people will probably never forgive my actions, but I think … over time I want to be able to rewrite the script.”

The 28-year-old Rice, a three-time Pro Bowl selection who played for the 2012 Super Bowl champion Ravens, is hopeful that a return to the NFL is in his future. He last played in 2013 and was limited to 660 yards rushing by a hip injury.

“I have a lot of hope and faith that I’ll be able to hang ’em up the right way. That’s what’s keeping me going, keeping me working,” he said.

“I always preach, one or two bad decisions, your dream can become a nightmare. Well, I had to eat my own words. I truly lived a nightmare. I’m just really hopeful for a second chance.”

Aside from the possible public-relations backlash, teams are wary of his worth as a running back.

The Texans, who lost Foster to a groin injury, have running backs Alfred Blue, Jonathan Grimes, Chris Polk and Kenny Hilliard.

“I don’t know that (Rice is) as good as any of the four we’ve got,” McNair said. “I don’t see anybody else trying to sign him, so I think that’s a pretty good indication of where he stands.”