Derrick Ward

"We'll see where we're at (today), but it looked like he did a little bit more from me watching from afar," Kubiak said. "I think he's improved every day, but it's still going to be a day-to-day deal, so we'll see where we're at."

Foster ran on a side field, where he said he went nearly full speed and didn't experience any setbacks.

"It felt good," he said. "But you don't want to push it too fast, too soon. … It's a 16-game season. You don't want to rush back for Game 1 if you're not ready. I plan on being ready. But if it's not ready, it's not ready."

On Wednesday, the bulk of Foster's reps went to Derrick Ward, a 1,000-yard rusher in 2008 with the New York Giants. But Ben Tate is pushing Ward.

Tate opened eyes in the preseason, flashing the potential that prompted the organization to snatch him up with its second-round choice in the 2010 draft.

Hopefully Foster owners don't have to lock their lineups today. It appears that he's headed for a gameday decision and if he can't go, Ward (not Tate) looks to be the better play. Tate is probably the better long-term handcuff, but Foster owners will want Ward in their lineups in Week 1 if their stud RB can't go.