Foster Is Likely to Play

All signs point to DeShaun Foster finally returning to the rotation at tailback.

Foster says he does not have any pain in his troublesome right ankle and the Bruins upgrading him from questionable to probable on Tuesday in anticipation of Saturday’s game against Arizona.

That came after he rejoined practice and, in an important sign, took part in the sprints at the end rather than be told by trainers to rest.

“It doesn’t hurt at all,” Foster said. “I’ve just got to get back in football shape and get ready to go.”

Conditioning is the other important factor since he spent most of the previous two weeks limited to riding a stationary bicycle, enough to keep him in some kind of shape but far from game ready. It is one of the reasons that the Bruins will start Keith Brown for the fifth game in a row and list Jermaine Lewis as the backup.

“I would say the best case scenario is for him to be able to practice some and then get in the game and play 10 to 15 plays and give us a spark,” Coach Bob Toledo said.

Said Foster, when asked how much he’ll likely be able to play against Arizona at the Rose Bowl: “It depends how my adrenaline is going. But maybe half the game. Maybe just get back in the rotation with the three tailbacks we have.”

Foster started the first four games, but sprained the ankle early in the last one, Sept. 25 at Stanford. It was also the day he rushed for 100 yards, nearly twice as many as any other game. But the joint became so tender that he was limited to two carries the next week at Arizona State, then tried again the next game but lasted just one run against Oregon.