The Facts: Following up on the ongoing story. ... Foster may be back on the practice field as soon as Sunday. HC Gary Kubiak spoke with the media after Thursday afternoon’s practice inside the Houston Methodist Training Center, and was optimistic about a return for the Pro Bowl running back. "We’re hoping Arian’s a participant in practice on Sunday,” Kubiak said. “We’ll see how he does.”

Diehards Line:Last Thursday, Foster was put on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Through the first week of camp, he has worked out on side fields under the supervision of the team’s medical training staff. When Foster was asked last Saturday about when he expected to return to the field, he wouldn’t put a definitive timetable on it and described his level of pain. "It’s just got some light soreness in there, it’s nothing,” Foster said. “I can do pretty much everything, so I’m just going to take it day-by-day.” With Foster out, Ben Tate has received the starter’s reps at running back. Behind him, Deji Karim and the undrafted rookie trio of Ray Graham, Dennis Johnson and Cierre Wood have battled for the third running back spot. ... Stay tuned.