Fantasy Football Week 4: Arian Foster and 3 Star RBs You Must Bench

As the most consistent fantasy scorers, having solid running backs on your team is usually a must if you hope to contend for a title. Unfortunately, for some fantasy owners, a number of high-profile backs have got off to rough starts this season and may not be considered must-starts anymore.

Here are three star running backs you should bench this weekend, but only if you have a playable option on your bench. Otherwise, start your stud, but don't expect particularly good numbers.

Maurice Jones-Drew: Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew has actually played extremely well so far this season, as he is averaging over 100 rushing yards per game. His Week 4 matchup against the New Orleans Saints certainly doesn't bode well for his production, however.

New Orleans' defense isn't particularly intimidating, and Jones-Drew will likely be able to run on them if the Jags get a lead, but I see that to be highly unlikely. In fact, I would expect the Jaguars to be playing from multiple scores behind for the majority of the game.

Even in the game's early stages, the Saints are likely to stack the box and dare rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert to throw on them. Jones-Drew's best hope for production in this game is to get involved by catching the ball, but I think he's worthy of a sit if you have some decent options on your bench.

Frank Gore: San Francisco 49ers

After missing the majority of last season due to injury, San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore must certainly have been ready to put 2010 behind him. Unfortunately for Gore, though, he has been extremely ineffective thus far, with just 148 yards over his first three games.

He also left last week's game against the Cincinnati Bengals with an ankle injury, and his status is uncertain for Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Even if Gore does play, he probably shouldn't be starting for your fantasy team. There are several factors that suggest he could be in for a rough game.

For one, he could easily re-injure his ankle and leave you high and dry. Also, he might split carries with Kendall Hunter if he isn't 100 percent. Then, there's the strong possibility that an ornery Eagles squad will take the Niners out to the woodshed and administer a beating. This would severely limit Gore, as San Francisco would be forced to pass for much of the game.

Arian Foster: Houston Texans

Picked in the first round of almost every fantasy draft, Houston Texans running back Arian Foster has been a major disappointment this season. A preseason hamstring injury has limited him to just one partial game thus far, as Ben Tate has played extremely well in his absence.

Foster is expected to play and start against the Pittsburgh Steelers this week, but it might be best to leave him on your bench for one more week. There is no guarantee that Foster will be able to full bore on Sunday, and he will almost certainly be engaged in a timeshare with Tate.

Also, Pittsburgh obviously isn't an ideal matchup for a running back. The Steelers were by far the best in the league against the run last season and continue to be excellent in that regard in 2011. If Foster fully recovers from his injury, he will pay big dividends this weekend. However, there is just too much working against him this week to warrant a start.