Arian Foster didn't start for the Dolphins on Thursday. In the team's third preseason game -- often regarded as the dress rehearsal for the regular season -- Jay Ajayi lined up with Ryan Tannehill in the backfield for its first offensive drive. Finally, on the team's 14th offensive play, Foster entered the game.
And he looked just like vintage Arian Foster. First, he turned a check-down pass into a first down.
.@ArianFoster showing some strength!
— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2016
He breaks a tackle and sprints for the first down! 💪 #ATLvsMIAhttps://t.co/SAyZwl6rWW
Then, in the second quarter, he scored his first touchdown with his new team.
NAMASTE!@ArianFoster scores his first TD with the @MiamiDolphins!
— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2016
And that cut is sooo smooth. #ATLvsMIAhttps://t.co/fFEIQVwFPp
Notice how Foster cut back across the line of scrimmage and then stopped to turn upfield in a split second. Neither of those plays looked like a 30-year-old running back who is coming off an Achilles tear.
Ajayi may have gotten the start for the Dolphins, but Foster already looks like the better back.