The Minnesota Vikings and Houston Texans both made the playoffs last season on the strength of their starting running backs and while both players are expected to factor heavily into their team's success this season, the two stars likely won't get much action in the preseason, especially in Week 1.

Foster is going to start once the season begins, but after dealing with some issues in the offseason, Tate will get most of the action in the preseason and it is very important for the Texans overall that he plays well. Foster is on the physically unable to perform list and Tate has proven to be a very capable backup and if the Texans aren't careful, he could leave in the offseason much like Michael Turner did when he was a backup with the Chargers.

Tate has been solid over the past two seasons and he went had 175 attempts and 942 yards in 2011 while Foster was injured and last season he had just 270 yards. The Texans are expecting him to contribute more and he will be the starter for the Texans and will be on the field for at least the first two drives.

The quarterback situation will be interesting for the Texans as Case Keenum and TJ Yates split time behind Matt Schaub and both will be looking to prove themselves as the preseason goes along so they can win the backup job. Foster said that he should be ready for camp with his calf strain and that while it isn't a serious issue, he has been using a hyperbaric chamber. The report says that he uses it about once a day and that it helps with the injury and while that could be looked at as serious, there is still plenty of time before training camp for him to get ready and prepared.

The team also is currently looking at possibly bringing back fullback Vonta Leach and Foster said that he has played with him before and knows him well and that adding him would be good. The team has Greg Jones, as Foster mentions, but that competition is fine and that Leach is one of the best in the league. Leach was with the team two years ago and he won a Super Bowl with the Ravens this past season.

Quarterback Matt Schaub is excited about the possibilities with DeAndre Hopkins and Andre Johnson, as the duo should open up space for each other down field. One of the biggest issues for the Texans over the past few years has been the second wideout position behind Johnson and now they feel they have a legitimate number two.