Arian

Foster

Shaughnessy is arguably Oakland’s best young defensive lineman, so this is another boost to Arian Foster’s Week 5 matchup. “I can’t go out there and risk injuring it even more,” said Shaughnessy. Jarvis Moss will start at right defensive end. While a capable edge pass rusher, Moss is a zero against the run.

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.

“That’s the plan,” Foster said after practicing on a “limited” basis Wednesday but still receiving a starter’s dose of reps. Coach Gary Kubiak has made it clear that Foster will not be treated with kid gloves if he’s active, so begin planning on a full workload from your RB1 as long as he doesn’t suffer a setback.

Houston’s run game didn’t miss a beat in Foster’s absence against the Colts, so there’s little reason for the Texans to rush back 2010’s rushing leader before he’s 100 percent healthy. Practicing on Wednesday would be a huge step toward returning, however.

“There are some positions where guys can maybe not practice throughout the week and play. I don’t know if running back is one of those spots,” said Kubiak. Foster seems to be getting closer, going through a “very hard” workout Monday. He’s expected to at least try to practice on Wednesday, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see Foster listed as questionable again this week.

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.

“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.