Ben

Tate

If Foster starts in an attractive matchup against the Colts, he’s going to be tough to bench in fantasy leagues even if Derrick Ward and Ben Tate turn this into a three-man backfield. Just know that Foster comes with plenty of risk as more of a RB2 if he does play. Coach Gary Kubiak said Thursday that Foster’s workouts continue to improve, but he’s yet to practice this week.

“Everything’s still progressing,” said Kubiak, “but obviously we’re getting close to game time. We’ll see where he’s at tomorrow.” Foster sat out practice again Thursday. Kukiak will have a better idea on his feature back’s status if he can return Friday or work “pretty hard Saturday morning.” If Foster does miss the opener, Derrick Ward will start at running back with Ben Tate seeing plenty of carries in obvious run situations.

“If one of them is playing well, he plays. That’s the way I believe,” Kubiak said. “If I like the way a guy’s playing and he’s not tapping his head, he’s going to stay out there for a while.” Kubiak also confirmed that Ward would start the game, giving him the first chance to establish the hot hand. Ben Tate is a more explosive, powerful runner and the better bet to be effective.

“Ben Tate played very good on pass protection,” Kubiak said. As beat writer Steph Stradley notes, it’s a “plus factor” for Tate’s chances of seeing more snaps. Tate was considered sound in blitz pickup coming out of Auburn, but he’s had to relearn it a bit after missing his entire rookie year. He’ll be tough to bench in Week 2 against Miami if Arian Foster misses the game.

Coach Gary Kubiak described Foster’s practice participation as a “normal Wednesday load for a starter.” The indication there is that the Texans expect Foster to start against Miami. “Everything was positive,” added Kubiak. “If he can play, you play. There won’t be being careful with him.” Foster will have to make it through the week setback-free, but early signs are very encouraging. The Texans were smart to avoid rushing Foster back for Week 1. Ben Tate and Derrick Ward will go back to the bench if Foster starts.

Stradley takes this to mean Ben Tate could still see a solid number of snaps and touches when the Texans whip opponents. That’s not a scenario fantasy owners can count on, but Stradley does believe Tate has improved enough in pass protection to earn the No. 2 running back job behind Arian Foster. Derrick Ward’s fantasy appeal is heading south quickly. Matt Schaub can also anticipate a potentially dramatic drop in pass attempts this year.

“We took the step that we were kind of expecting to take. We were hoping to get him 10-15 carries,” said coach Gary Kubiak of Foster’s Week 1 effort. “He ended up getting 10. I think it is going to be a process with Arian working back to full speed.” It sounds like the Texans will continue to limit Foster’s workloads going forward. Ben Tate is going to be the best fantasy play in Houston’s backfield until Foster proves his health.

“He’s playing really well,” Kubiak said of Tate. “Ben’s probably going to carry most of the load right now. ... He’s going to be out there a great deal.” Kubiak also praised Tate’s pass protection for the second straight week. Foster didn’t look fully healthy during the first half of Houston’s Week 2 win over Miami, and had to shut it down at intermission. The Texans will lean on Tate against the Saints in Week 3. You’ll be hard pressed to name 12 better running back plays in fantasy football.

Coach Gary Kubiak stated in a post-game press conference that Foster was fatigued, suggesting the hamstring isn’t a problem anymore. It still is. “I pulled myself out because I felt it was getting a little tight,” Foster conceded. Hamstring pulls are so susceptible to re-aggravation that the Texans would probably be best served shutting down Foster for two weeks, and then reevaluating. It’s clear that they can more than just get by with Ben Tate in the meantime.

Bob Holtzmann of ESPN is also reporting that signs are pointing to Foster not playing at New Orleans. Safely remove him from your fantasy lineups if you haven’t already. Ben Tate - who has topped 100 yards in each of the first two games of the 2011 season - will get the start in Foster’s place, and should be played as a borderline RB1.