Arian Foster Injury: Ben Tate Will Be Given Another Shot to Shine

Arian Foster was one of the best running backs in the NFL in 2010, but the Houston Texans may not have him for their Week 2 matchup against the Miami Dolphins.

While the team wants Foster back in the lineup, they have become very happy with the way young running back Ben Tate has run amuck over defenses in the preseason and in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts.

The Texans are playing an average team in Miami that will give them little resistance after their newly potent defense stifles their pretender-potent offense. Houston is right to sit Foster, and they won’t need him to beat down the Dolphins.

Injury Update

All of the talk out of Houston was that Arian Foster has been doing amazing on his climb back into the Texans lineup, but word out of Miami is that all signs point to little or no action for the Texans' premier back.

If this comes to fruition, the Texans will lean heavily on youngster Ben Tate, but last week’s game against the Colts proved he doesn’t mind the increased workload.

When's He Ready to Return?

The way the Houston Texans are playing this injury, they will not be rushing him back until they feel he is as close to 100 percent as he can be. The lack of a serious schedule during the first two weeks will be a good chance for the back to rest his ailing hamstring.

Houston travels to New Orleans to play the Saints in Week 3, and that would be a game where the Texans need all hands on deck to beat a tough team of the Saints’ caliber.

Fantasy Impact

The fantasy impact is simple: if you have Arian Foster, sit him. You should have handcuffed him in the draft by drafting Ben Tate, but if you didn’t, go pick him up off the waiver wire.

Week 2 will be a perfect matchup for Tate, and he will replicate the 24 carries for 116 yards and a touchdown he had against the Colts.

What They're Saying

Miami Dolphins writer for The Palm Beach Post Benjamin Volin is reporting:

"

Kubiak didn't say it flat-out, but he intimated on So. Florida conference call that Ben Tate, not Arian Foster, will get most action Sunday.

"

While the Dolphins are good, the Texans are smart to let their star running back get 100 percent healthy so he will be ready for the long playoff haul Houston is hoping for.

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LIFE HURTS. THIS INJURY UPDATE BROUGHT TO YOU BY DICKIES.

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