Arian Foster Injury: 5 Reasons Why Texans Can Win AFC South Without Star RB

If you are fantasy owner of Houston Texans RB Arian Foster be afraid, be very afraid. Of Foster's hamstring, that is.

If you are a Texans fan, relax and enjoy the 2011 season.

The Texans will be fine without the NFL's leading rusher in their backfield.

Yes, losing Foster hurts, but it is far from a season killer for Houston.

Here are 5 reasons why.

1. Passing Game

WR Andre Johnson and QB Matt Schaub highlight one of the NFL's best passing attacks.

Johnson is a quick, physical and tough wide-out that can take on any of the NFL's corners.

He has over 9,000 yards receiving for his career, good for a 13.6 yards per catch.

Matt Schaub, in his first two full seasons as the Texans starting QB, has had 4,000 plus yards passing in each season.

The passing game may have missed a bullet with this news for WR Kevin Walter.

However, Walter will be lost for the game against Miami in week two.

This means guys like WR Jacoby Jones and TE Owen Daniels will have to step up their games.

We all know what Daniels can do, but Texans' fans have yet to see much from Jones.

He had a disappointing 2010 but is looking to realize his potential this season. I believe he has the talent and ability. I just hope he can finally show it off.

A wild card is TE/FB James Casey.

He got the start against the Colts at FB, however he is much more than that. He was a TE coming out of Rice University who can also play the slot WR. He is talented at pass catching (he had three receptions in the game against the Colts) and is very athletic for his position. He is also an underrated blocker.

2. Kubiak's Zone Blocking Scheme

Gary Kubiak has had a ton of success in the NFL with his offensive game plan.

He lead the Denver Bronco offense to Super Bowl winning seasons as offensive coordinator and QB coach for John Elway.

Since Kubiak has been coaching, the Texans have never had less than 1,400 yards rushing.

No matter who's been at RB, with guys like Ron Dayne, Wali Lundy, Steve Slaton and Arian Foster, Kubiak has had a very effective running game.

Yes, last year it was as good as ever because of Arian Foster's ability to run downhill between creases created by the zone blocking scheme of Kubiak.

However, what kind of runners are Derrick Ward and Ben Tate?

They are strong and quick down-hill runners that have shown they can perform under Kubiak's system.

Kubiak knows how to generate a running game and he still has talented backs in Tate and Ward.

3. Ben Tate

In 2010, Ben Tate was supposed to be the starter until he got injured and was put on Injured Reserve.

Now, with Arian Foster hurt and his status unknown, Tate has a chance to shine.

In the game against the Colts, Tate was able to garner 116 yards for an average of 4.8 yards per carry.

Tate is a very strong downhill runner. He is able to explode through creases set up by the offensive line and is very effective at eluding defenders once he is through the trenches.

Tate also showed this talent during his college days as an Auburn Tiger and runs a 4.4 second 40 yard dash.

Tate will have no problem taking over for Foster.

4. James Casey and Lawerence Vickers

James Casey is a very versatile player for the Texans.

He can play FB and be a lead blocker. He does not get enough credit for his ability to block, possessing underrated strength and toughness.

He also has very good hands and the athleticism to catch balls out of the backfield or line up at TE and/or in the slot.

FB Lawrence Vickers is a bruiser and looks to play a role very similar to FB Vonta Leach, who left via free agency.

He is a six foot, 250-pound bowling ball and can clear a path for Ben Tate and Derrick Ward. 

He was able to do that for Cleveland Browns' running back Peyton Hillis in past seasons.

5. The Defense

The Texans looked amazing against the Colts on Sunday.

Yes, I know Indianapolis was without star QB Peyton Manning.

Still, I was absolutely stunned at how well the Texans embarrassed not just Kerry Collins, but the Colt's offensive line that was supposed to be younger and better than last year. 

LB/DE Mario Williams silenced the critics with two sacks and a forced fumble.

DE J.J. Watt played well and showed off his high motor and strength. He recorded five tackles in his NFL debut.

DE Antonio Smith was also regularly getting to Collins as he recorded one sack.

The Texans gave the Colts offense fits all game and shut them down.

I am not sure if Peyton Manning could have done much better with the amount of times Texans' defenders were in the Colts' backfield.

The defense is well improved from last year because they were able to get to the QB. With this added asset to the defense, the Texans were able to shut down an offense that still featured Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, and Austin Collie.