A bad season for the Houston Texans has gotten worse.
Running back Arian Foster won't play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals and will undergo season-ending surgery.
Foster left the first quarter with an injured back and did not return in last week's 27-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Interim coach Wade Phillips told the Houston Chronicle after Friday's practice that Foster has seen "two or three" back specialists in hopes that he will be able to play again this season.
"He's had two or three opinions," Phillips said.
The Texans hope to snap a six-game losing skid Sunday in Arizona without Foster.
Ben Tate will get the start, but he's also banged up with several broken ribs. Rookie Dennie Johnson will back up Tate and veteran Deji Karim is the leading candidate to earn the third back duties over rookie Ray Graham.
"With [Foster] down and [Tate] being hurt, the third running back will pay some, too," Phillips said. "We're leaning towards Karim right now."
Texans head coach Gary Kubiak also suffered a mini-stroke during the loss, but he plans to return to the sideline next week against the Oakland
Raiders.
Foster had 542 yards rushing and averaging 4.5 yards per carry this season.
