DAVIE, Fla. -- Miami Dolphins (1-4) starting running back Arian Foster missed the past three games due to groin and hamstring injuries. However, Foster returned to practice for the first time in about a month on Wednesday, which is a sign that he’s closer to returning and might be ready as early as Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1).

“I’m going to practice today,” Foster said. “I want [the groin and hamstring injuries] to not hurt. That’s the goal. ... There’s a certain amount of confidence you have to have in soft-tissue injuries in order to explode like you want to explode.”

Foster brought stability to Miami’s running game earlier in the season. He was the primary ball carrier and a reliable veteran both in the running game and with pass blocking and receiving out of the backfield.

Without Foster, the Dolphins have gone with a combination of rushers since the second half of Week 2, which includes backups Jay Ajayi, Damien Williams and rookie Kenyan Drake. The team cut backup Isaiah Pead in what is another sign that Foster is closer to returning.

“You want to be out there to help the team,” Foster said. “As much offseason work as I put in to get back healthy from the injury that I had and a little thing pops up. It’s part of the game. You can’t scream at the universe because it’s not the universe’s fault.”