Ben Tate Injury: Will Active Status Decrease Arian Foster's Fantasy Value?

According to Adam Schefter, both Ben Tate and Arian Foster are active for today's game.  The expectation is that Foster will get the start and majority of the carries.  However, Tate's early-season success has earned him the right to run the football.

With both Tate and Foster dealing with their injuries, we have been unable to see how the carries will be distributed.  Foster's big performance last week secured him the starting role.  He showed that he is still the lead back in Houston. 

The Texans will need both Foster and Tate to produce, if they hope to play well.

Arian Foster is still a must-start fantasy option.  He is the unquestioned feature back, likely to receive a large amount of carries.  Tate's emergence just provides the Texans with another option.  I don't expect him to get more than 10 carries.

Tate's effectiveness is a positive situation for Foster.  It allows Foster to remain fresh by avoiding being overworked.  This will allow Foster to have a very big impact later in the season. 

It is also important to talk about offensive production.  If Tate was unable to produce positive plays, it would stall the offense.  This would mean less offensive plays and ultimately less touches for Foster.  Tate's role will be important to monitor, but at this point, he doesn't take any value away from Foster.

The Texans will likely feature a run heavy attack versus the Oakland Raiders.  Houston is without star receiver Andre Johnson, an injury that will limit the passing attack.  With a likely limited passing game, the running attack will have to be effective.

Foster will benefit from Tate's presence today.  He will be able to share that expected heavy workload.  While fantasy owners would love to see Foster get 30 carries, it wouldn't be good for his long-term health.

Jon Dove is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report, covering the NFL and NFL draft. Check him out on Twitter @Jon_Dove42.