The Houston Texans are releasing RB Steve Slaton and promoting RB Chris Ogbonnaya from the practice squad, according to NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora. 

Slaton was originally the Texans third round pick in the 2008 NFL draft and was immediately placed as the feature back in Houston. He had a solid rookie season gaining over 1,282 yards rushing and 377 yards passing along with 10 total touchdowns.

His feature back status didn’t continue into 2009, nor in 2010, when the team acquired RB Arian Foster, who became the main running back. Foster is now battling injuries yet the Texans chose to elevate RB Ben Tate to receiving a bulk of the carries.

Slaton was rumored to be cut or traded prior to the final roster cut down but ultimately remained on the Texans roster. In the 2011 season, Slaton has seven carries for 20 yards and one reception for six yards. 

Slaton is a former All-American out of West Virginia, where he was also a Heisman Trophy candidate. 

Check out SB Nation’s Battle Red Blog for more on Slaton’s release. 

The Houston Texans have released running back Steve Slaton, replacing him with Chris Ogbonnaya from the practice squad. Slaton had a standout campaign after being selected in the third round in 2008, running for a NFL rookie-best 1,281 yards. But his career has been beset by injuries and fumble issues since. Arian Foster became the feature back and led the league in rushing last season, relegating Slaton to being a backup and returning kicks. With Ben Tate in the fold this season, Slaton had just seven carries for 20 yards through two games. Ogbonnaya, a seventh-round pick of St. Louis in 2009, led the Texans in rushing during this preseason. Texans coach Gary Kubiak said he expects Foster, who has been inactive for all three games, to be ready to play Sunday against Pittsburgh.

HOUSTON (AP)—The Houston Texans released running back Steve Slaton(notes) on
Tuesday and signed Chris Ogbonnaya(notes) from the practice squad.

The 5-foot-9, 209-pound Slaton was a third-round pick in 2008 and was the
NFL’s top rookie rusher with 1,282 yards. He rushed for 437 yards but fumbled
seven times in 2009 and was placed on injured reserve after 11 games. He had
neck surgery after the season, and never regained his form.

Arian Foster(notes) emerged in 2010, and Slaton was relegated to backup duty and
returning kicks. Foster has been limited by a left hamstring strain early this
season, and 2010 second-round pick Ben Tate(notes) topped 100 yards rushing in
Houston’s first two games. Slaton has only seven carries for 20 yards this
season.

Houston coach Gary Kubiak said Monday that he’s optimistic that Foster will
be ready when Houston (2-1) plays Pittsburgh (2-1) on Sunday.

Foster, the NFL’s leading rusher last season, has been inactive for two of
Houston’s first three games.

“I hope he’s full-go,” Kubiak said. “I know he’s chomping at the bit to
get back on the field full-time and we’ll sit there and watch how he works and
hopefully everything’s full speed.”

The 6-foot, 220-pound Ogbonnaya was the Texans’ leading rusher in the
preseason and the only running back who avoided an injury during training camp.
A former Texas star, Ogbonnaya was a seventh-round draft pick by St. Louis in
2009, then was cut last September.

HOUSTON (AP)—The Houston Texans released running back Steve Slaton(notes) on
Tuesday and signed Chris Ogbonnaya(notes) from the practice squad.

The 5-foot-9, 209-pound Slaton was a third-round pick in 2008 and was the
NFL’s top rookie rusher with 1,282 yards. He rushed for 437 yards but fumbled
seven times in 2009 and was placed on injured reserve after 11 games. He had
neck surgery after the season, and never regained his form.

Arian Foster(notes) emerged in 2010, and Slaton was relegated to backup duty and
returning kicks. Foster has been limited by a left hamstring strain early this
season, and 2010 second-round pick Ben Tate(notes) topped 100 yards rushing in
Houston’s first two games. Slaton has only seven carries for 20 yards this
season.

Houston coach Gary Kubiak said Monday that he’s optimistic that Foster will
be ready when Houston (2-1) plays Pittsburgh (2-1) on Sunday.

Foster, the NFL’s leading rusher last season, has been inactive for two of
Houston’s first three games.

“I hope he’s full-go,” Kubiak said. “I know he’s chomping at the bit to
get back on the field full-time and we’ll sit there and watch how he works and
hopefully everything’s full speed.”

The 6-foot, 220-pound Ogbonnaya was the Texans’ leading rusher in the
preseason and the only running back who avoided an injury during training camp.
A former Texas star, Ogbonnaya was a seventh-round draft pick by St. Louis in
2009, then was cut last September.