Arian Foster Injury: Texans Star Is Still Fantasy RB1 Despite Health Issues

The Houston Texans offense has thrived when Arian Foster is the workhorse running back this season. Even though the All-Pro Foster has missed time in 2014 with various injuries, he is still dependable enough to be a fantasy RB1 as the playoffs approach.

Foster had back surgery in November 2013, was out for one game with a hamstring ailment in Week 3 and then missed Week 11 due to a groin injury. However, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports provided an encouraging update on Foster's status:

ESPN's Bob Holtzman provided more specificity from Texans head coach Bill O'Brien:

With a 5.1-yard average per carry, there is little reason to doubt Foster will produce when he's in the lineup. That is especially so with a quarterback situation that appears to have improved.

Ryan Mallett made his NFL starting debut and defeated a Cleveland Browns team that had just given up a mere three points to the Cincinnati Bengals on the road in its prior outing. Thanks to superior arm strength, Mallett can stretch the field in a way his predecessor, Ryan Fitzpatrick, couldn't.

Not only does that force defenses to account for the threat of downfield passes, but it also opens up room for underneath routes. That is where an all-purpose back like Foster thrives, and presuming he's healthy enough to shoulder a regular workload, he ought to be a focus in the Texans' passing game.

This Mallett stat from Week 11, per Pro Football Focus, supports that assertion:

"

Ryan Mallett's average time per pass attempt was 2.06 seconds vs CLE. Off the charts fast, lowest in the league this week.

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) November 18, 2014"

For those fantasy owners playing in PPR formats and fortunate enough to have Foster, he is bound to deliver big numbers moving forward with Mallett's incredible arm talent under center.

In his previous three games, Foster has had a receiving touchdown in each, proving that his all-around value transcends that of most of his peers.

NFL Network's Rich Eisen also made sure to highlight just how explosive Foster has been on the ground this year too:

The trade deadline is approaching for the vast majority of fantasy leagues, but there's no need to panic and move Foster at this point. For one, Houston is still in the hunt for the AFC South title, just one game behind the Indianapolis Colts.

Although Foster would command serious consideration and compensation in a prospective trade, reliable running backs are such a precious fantasy commodity. Those in possession of Foster shouldn't move him, especially in light of the Texans' bold move to switch from Fitzpatrick to Mallett in the heat of contending for a division title.

But since Mallett is still a novice in terms of NFL experience, Houston is going to work hard to establish the run. The offense didn't deviate from that strategy against the Browns, as rookie Alfred Blue racked up 156 yards on a whopping 36 carries.

The injury forecast provided by O'Brien, combined with the fact that the Texans face three of the NFL's current bottom-seven rush defenses in four of their remaining six games, makes Foster a safe fantasy play from here on in.