Arian Foster could pose problems for Dolphins defense

The Miami Dolphins defense has received a lot of credit this week from supposedly changing their culture under interim head coach Dan Campbell.

After giving up an average of 160.5 yards rushing in their first four games of the season, the Dolphins shut down the Tennessee Titans rushing attack last week. Miami allowed Tennessee to only run for only 63 yards on 18 rushing attempts.

This week, the Dolphins will be presented with a significant challenge trying to slow down Houston Texans’ running back Arian Foster.

Despite missing Houston’s first three games as he was recovering from groin surgery, Foster is still considered one of the best running backs in the NFL. In 2014, the seven-year pro rushed for 1,246 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 games.

Dolphins’ defensive lineman Earl Mitchell played with Foster for four seasons while he was with the Texans. Mitchell knows what makes Foster such an excellent player.

“He’s a patient runner and he can make some things happen when he is out in space, said Mitchell. You really have to stop him before he stops. I played with him for four years, so I understand his ability and what he brings to their team.”

Safety Michael Thomas says you always have to keep an eye on Foster.

“He’s a great runner, he has proven that over time,” said Thomas. “He is great at cutting back and he is great out of the backfield, so we certainly have our hands full.”

Dolphins defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo also knows his team needs to be ready to face a versatile running back like Foster.

“His yards may be down in terms of carries, but he’s productive out of the backfield,” said Anarumo. “The guy is still – when you watch him on tape and when he gets out into the open field a dangerous runner and along with Hopkins we’re really going to be aware of where he is and what he’s doing and some of the unique things they’re doing with him; putting him out there in empty and catching the ball and things like that. Again, we’ll have our eyes open for him.”

Even though Foster was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, the Dolphins expect him to be on the field Sunday afternoon. Last week, Foster was also limited before being listed as probable for Week 6. So expect the Texans to do a similar thing when the final injury report is released on Friday.

Other news and notes from Dolphins practice

Dolphins interim head coach Dan Campbell has been open to changing some things from the Joe Philbin era. His recent change was on Thursday as the offensive players wore black jerseys in practice.

The black jersey symbolized an offensive victory over the defense in Wednesday’s practice.

“The winner gets to wear black for the day,” said Campbell. “You ask those guys, 95 percent of them love it, just to be able to wear black.”

Campbell got the idea from former Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano, from when he was an intern on his staff.

Branden Albert, A.J. Francis, Jordan Phillips, Mike Pouncey and Kenny Stills were all limited in Thursday’s practice. After being limited on Wednesday, defensive end Cameron Wake participated fully on Thursday.

For the second straight day, cornerback Brice McCain did not practice. The veteran sprained his right knee against the Titans last Sunday and more than likely will be out for Sunday’s game against the Texans.

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