Early Tate time?

Kubiak "hoping" Arian Foster is ready for Week One: Colts-Texans could be abattle of missing stars

Could Texans quarterback find himself handing off to someone besides ArianFoster for most of the season opener?
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
Peyton Manning is already expected to miss the game for the Colts.
Ben Tate had better stay ready.
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com

Virtually no one expects Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning to play in Week One against the Houston Texans. Now, the Texans could be without one of their offensive lifelines as well — running back Arian Foster — in that pivotal AFC South showdown.

In his postgame news conference after a 30-7 drubbing of the hapless San Francisco 49ers in a meaningless preseason game, a game that saw Foster limp to the sidelines after his eighth carry of the first quarter, Texans coach Gary Kubiak said he is "just hoping" that Foster's hamstring injury doesn't linger.

"We don't think it's anything more serious than what we were dealing with before," Kubiak said. "I'm just hoping . . . he'll be ready for opening day."

Foster — who racked up an NFL-high and Texans-record 2,220 yards from scrimmage in his breakout 2010 season — hurt his hamstring on the first day of training camp. He skipped 11 days of practice and the first preseason game, but looked like his old, explosive, quick-cutting self in his return — part of an impressive show from the first-team offense against the New Orleans Saints, a darkhorse NFC Super Bowl contender.

As soon as Foster made a move on that eighth carry against the 49ers Saturday night, it was apparent he'd hurt himself again though. More hamstring trouble, the type of injury that's been known to linger through a season.

Now the anxious wait to see if it heals in time for that Sept. 11 Colts game at Reliant Stadium begins. The Texans have much better options to play in place of Foster (second-year wonder Ben Tate and veteran Derrick Ward) than the Colts do to replace Manning (signing Kerry Collins out of retirement strikes fear in the heart of no one — except maybe Kerry Collins).

But the Texans are not close to the same team without Foster's multi-dimensional gifts either. Kubiak did say that Foster's injury is not the one that concerns him the most from the game. But what's a coach supposed to say?

For more on the injury and why I think Kubiak should be kicking himself for inexcusably playing Foster much more than he should have against the 49ers, check out a full CultureMap column on the issue.

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pucker up

Growing pickleball franchise smashes into Houston with 2 locations

Two men play pickleball on a Picklr court.

Photo courtesy of The Picklr

A Picklr court campus similar to the ones soon to open in Houston.

Pickleball is one of the hottest sports sweeping the nation, and one of the biggest names in the game is setting up two new facilities in Houston. Picklr is scheduled to open indoor sports campuses in Cypress and The Woodlands in the coming months.

“Bringing a pickleball facility to Cypress will not only provide a fun and engaging recreational outlet for residents of all ages, but will also foster a sense of community and promote a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Steve Nguyen, owner of The Picklr Cypress.“This facility will serve as a vibrant hub for social interaction, skill development, and friendly/competitive competition, enhancing community bonds and offering a welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.”

Although the game is approximately 60 years old, pickleball saw a massive spike in popularity following the pandemic when people were looking for fun group activities with easy points of entry. Though a racket sport like tennis, it is far easier and slower thanks to using perforated balls, smaller courts, and lighter paddles. This means the game is open to players of all ages, and was originally most popular with retirees. Now, there are roughly 5 million players across America, with players under 24 making up the majority. Houston even has its own professional team, the Hammers (not the Texas Hammer; that's this guy).

The court in Cypress will be located in the old ASI Gymnastics building at 8920 Barker Cypress. It's a relatively modest facility with only six courts including a practice court. By contrast, The Woodlands location will be much more opulent. At 66,517 square feet, it will have 20 courts, 4 private event spaces (one with an exclusive viewing area), as well as a shower, changing room, dry bar, and kitchenette. Picklr The Woodlands will be located at 16590 Interstate I-45 South.

These locations are the first for Picklr in Houston. They have twelve locations all throughout Texas, including in Round Rock and McKinney, and many more nationwide. Picklr locations operate on a membership model similar to a gym. Memberships run $159 a month for adults and $89 for minors, with unlimited access to open play, league play, and tournaments , as well as four free clinics a month. Additional coaching is available.

There is currently no set opening date for the two Houston-area Picklrs. Players interested in learning more may sign up for updates at ThePicklr.com.

pickleball openings