DOLPHINS
Foster retiring
MIAMI — Four-time Pro Bowl running back Arian Foster has announced his retirement midway through an injury-plagued season with the Miami Dolphins.
Foster, 30, tried to come back from a torn Achilles tendon, but was slowed this season by groin and hamstring injuries. He disclosed his decision Monday on the website Uninterrupted, and the Dolphins confirmed it.
The retirement is effective immediately.
Foster signed a $1.5 million, oneyear contract with the Dolphins in July after seven years with the Houston Texans. He holds the Texans’ franchise record with 6,472 yards rushing.
This season he rushed for 55 yards on 22 carries. His playing time was curtailed with the emergence of Jay Ajayi, who tied an NFL record by surpassing 200 yards rushing each of the past two weeks.
COWBOYS
Bryant expected to play
FRISCO, Texas — Dez Bryant is expected to return to action Sunday when the Dallas Cowboys face the Philadelphia Eagles.
Bryant, who has not played since injuring his right knee against Chicago on Sept. 25, was catching passes and running routes in practice Monday. Tony Romo and Tyron Smith were absent.
Bryant was limited last Wednesday, the team’s only practice during the bye week, with cuts on his right hand.
Doug Free and Morris Claiborne returned to practice after not participating last Wednesday.
Romo’s absence is the latest sign that rookie quarterback Dak Prescott will make his seventh consecutive start Sunday night against the Philadelphia Eagles. Romo has not practiced since suffering an L1 compression fracture on Aug. 25.
Smith continues to deal with a bulging disk in his back. The All-Pro left tackle missed the Chicago and San Francisco games but returned to play in the previous two games against Cincinnati and Green Bay.
JETS
Torn ACL for Smith
NEW YORK — Geno Smith’s second chance at starting appears to be over. His playing days with the New York Jets could be, too.
An MRI on Monday revealed that the quarterback has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, and Smith seeking a second opinion on the injury that would end his season. That means Ryan Fitzpatrick is back from the bench and will start Sunday for the Jets at Cleveland.
“When you hear that, that’s tough luck for the kid,” Coach Todd Bowles said during a conference call. “Fitzpatrick finished the game up, and we’re going from there with Fitz.”
Smith, a second-round pick in 2013 who is scheduled to be a free agent after the season, injured his knee in his first start since 2014.