Fanatasy Football Week 1: Arian Foster to Sit Because of Peyton Manning?

Arian Foster was probably one of the first three players taken in your fantasy football draft and now you're freaking out because you might not have him for Week 1 of the season.

I get it.

You know what? You're probably right to do so.

Let's look at this carefully.

The Texans were originally about a field-goal underdog in the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts, but according to some sites, the Texans are now a nine-point favorite.

That's the biggest line out there, along with the Chargers vs. Vikings game.

I only allude to this because it shows the impact that losing Peyton Manning has on the Colts. According to that number, the Colts are one of the worst teams in the league in Week 1 of this season.

If the Texans were playing against the Panthers or the Bills, I don't think the team would feel the need to start him. The reasonable assumption is that the Texans, with our without Arian Foster, would beat the Panthers or Bills.

So what makes the Colts different without Manning?

This is the second time that Foster has injured his hamstring within the last month. Soft-tissue injuries heal differently for different people. However, based on the fact that he only rested for two weeks when he last had this injury, it would be wise to give him more than two weeks to recover on this occasion so to ensure that this is not a problem that he faces throughout the season.

After all, their schedule opens with a brutal six-game stretch where they need to have Foster available.

The Texans are also well-equipped to handle an injury at the tailback position with Derrick Ward, who was explosive last year and brings a veteran presence to the position. In addition, they have Ben Tate, who is completely healthy after being drafted in the second round a year ago, but who promptly broke his ankle.

Both Ward and Tate looked great in the preseason, but the biggest sign that Foster might not be healthy enough to go is that the team kept a fourth running back in Steve Slaton.

Slaton led the AFC in yards from scrimmage in 2008 in Gary Kubiak's offense and would be the best threat that the Texans would have if Foster is unable to go.

If you don't need him because the opposition is terrible, because you've developed quality depth or because you don't think he is ready to go, why would you play him?