Arian Foster: Texans' Star RB Will Take Advantage of Dolphins' Subpar Defense

Arian Foster's knee injury is believed to be minor, so fantasy owners shouldn't hesitate to plug the stud into the starting lineup. Sporting News.com is indicating that Foster is insisting he'll play.

I'm inclined to believe Foster, who, as Tania Ganguli of the Houston Chronicle reports, said, "I expect to play on Sunday." Ganguli also writes that Foster could have practiced on Thursday if pushed.

The team was likely being cautious with Foster. His 141.6 all-purpose yards per game was the highest average in the NFL in 2011. The Houston Texans are hosting the Miami Dolphins, and the Fins have had some issues on defense.

In the preseason they surrendered 24 points per game. The team was solid against the run in 2011—it ranked third—but Foster could wreak havoc in the short passing game.

The Dolphins were only 25th in the NFL against the pass in 2011.

Foster is adept at taking swing passes and screens for big gains.

He took a checkdown pass 74 yards for a TD against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 10 last season. The Texans probably don't need Foster to win this game, but he seems to be a good bet to suit up.

He'll play, and he'll play well.

One fantasy football caveat is that if the Texans have taken complete control of this game in the third quarter, don't be shocked to see Foster pulled for the remainder of the game. 

Still, Foster should have done his share of damage by then.

Follow Brian Mazique and Franchiseplay on YouTube and Twitter for reactions, analysis and news from the world of sports and sports video games

Subscribe on YouTube

Follow @BrianMazique

Follow @franchiseplay