Arizona Cardinals: D.J. Foster making most of opportunity
With some recent extended playing time, local product D.J. Foster looks to take full advantage of his opportunity with the Arizona Cardinals
The statistics don’t exactly leap off the page just yet after a few appearances so far in 2017. In the last two games, Arizona Cardinals running back D.J. Foster has caught just five passes for 44- yards. But the former Arizona State standout had probably the most important catch of the season for the Cardinals on Sunday in the win against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
With the game on the line during the final drive, quarterback Blaine Gabbert scrambled to his left and fired a bullet to Foster who reeled in the catch after a toe-tapping effort. It set up the game-winning field goal and kept the Cardinals’ minuscule playoff hopes alive.
It’s a dream come true for any kid that has thought about playing for the team they grew up watching.
After the Cardinals were able to pull him from the New England Patriots practice squad, the Scottsdale native now has the trifecta when it comes to playing football in Arizona.
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He attended Saguaro High School in Scottsdale before moving on to Arizona State University. As a Sun Devil, he showed the versatility of a pass-catching running back. During his career at ASU, he amassed 2,355 rushing yards, 2,458 receiving yards and collected 14 total touchdowns, according to sports-reference.com.
Although undrafted in 2016, Foster is back home, now contributing to his home team. His role has since expanded since the team decided to part ways with the oft-injured and inconsistent Andre Ellington.
Moving forward, Foster will look to contribute in any way that he can. And if the miraculous catch on Sunday is a glimpse of what is to come, it certainly will be fun to watch his future clutch performances.
Surely impressed by his performance on Sunday, not only with the catch, but in pass-protection as well, head coach Bruce Arians said “his role is just going to continue to increase.”
Growing up in the valley, now playing for his local team, Foster is living out a Hollywood script. I’m not sure if he has any Oscar aspirations, but I’m sure a Lombardi Trophy would suffice.
For now, it’ll be quite a sight witnessing a local product live out his dream of playing in the NFL in his home state.