Week 4 Start Em Sit Em: Should Fantasy Owners Play Arian Foster?

Consensus No. 1 overall fantasy draft pick Arian Foster has only played in one game for the Houston Texans so far this season while he recovers from a hamstring injury.

That game, Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins, saw Foster limited in the first half and benched in the second, and he's earned his fantasy owners very few points with 10 carries for 33 yards.

This week, the chances of Foster starting are much higher; Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said on the radio yesterday that the running back will be "out there, full-speed, ready to go," when the team hosts the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

So, if you're one of those GMs who has been chomping at the bit for Foster to take the field and produce for your team, it looks like you will get to see him for a full four quarters for the first time this season.

Indeed, there is an inherent risk in starting him against the Steelers; while they are giving up an average of 99 rushing yards per game, this statistic is skewed by their Week 1 loss against the Baltimore Ravens that had Ray Rice carving up the defense with a number of long runs.

However, they did allow the Indianapolis Colts 97 rushing yards in Week 3, and considering that the Texans are the No. 5 run offense in the league even without the 2010 rushing leader, Foster could have a big day against the reigning AFC champs.

When healthy, Foster is a must-start, every week. While Ben Tate will obviously get a number of carries against the Steelers this week, Foster will likely end the game with the majority of snaps. Foster, remember, is the Texans' starter, regardless of how well Tate has performed in his stead.

As long as Foster's hamstring doesn't bother him in practice this week, his status to play on Sunday won't change. If you have him, start him.