Xavien Howard

Arian Foster, two rookies to start for Dolphins in season opener

Published Sep. 5, 2016 6:19 p.m. ET

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DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -- Four-time Pro Bowl running back Arian Foster is a starter again.

Foster was listed with the first unit on the Miami Dolphins' depth chart Monday and will start their opener Sunday at Seattle less than 11 months after tearing his Achilles tendon while with the Houston Texans.

Signed by Miami in July, Foster rushed for only 5 yards on seven carries in the preseason, but beat out Jay Ajayi for the starting job.

"A little bit of the reason is experience," coach Adam Gase said. "He had a really good camp. He did everything we asked him to do as far as what we wanted to see in the preseason, and he has been very consistent in his knowledge of the offense in the short period of time that he was here. It was impressive to watch him and how quickly he picked it up."

Also winning starting jobs were two rookies, first-round pick Laremy Tunsil at left guard and second-round pick Xavien Howard at cornerback. Veteran newcomer Jermon Bushrod will start at right guard.

Foster holds the Texans' franchise record with 6,472 yards rushing, but injuries have limited him to 25 games in the past three years. He played in just four games last season, averaging 2.6 yards per carry.

Three starters missed practice: center Mike Pouncey (hip), receiver DeVante Parker (hamstring) and linebacker Jelani Jenkins (knee). Jenkins is the most likely to be available Sunday, while Pouncey's status remains week to week, Gase said.

The Dolphins were surprised receiver Justin Hunter was available on the waiver wire, Gase added. Miami claimed him as a sixth receiver Sunday.

"I didn't think I was going to come here, but I'm happy to be here now," said Hunter, a second-round draft pick by Tennessee in 2013. "It's a whole group of guys, new team, new organization. They believe in me enough to bring me here. I'm honored."

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Xavien Howard

DeVante Parker

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