The Houston Texans have Arian Foster banged up heading into Week 11, but the running back is expected to suit up and that is good news for fantasy football owners as the team takes on the Cleveland Browns and if he is limited, Alfred Blue is a solid pickup and this comes as Ryan Mallett will make his first start for the team.
According to Pro Football Talk, Foster sat out of practice on Thursday with a groin injury and this comes after the Texans had a bye week following their last game against the Eagles. Foster slammed his helmet in frustration after suffering the injury in the game in Week 9 and he said that he plans on playing on Sunday. Foster could be limited and he has not practiced this week and it's likely he will be a game time decision on Sunday.
Foster has been one of the best running backs in football this season with 822 yards in eight games and he has six 100-yard performances this year. Foster has seven touchdowns this season along with 26 catches for 229 yards and three more scores and he already has played in as many games as he did last season. Alfred Blue would be the start option for fantasy owners and the Texans if Foster can't go. Blue has been solid in spot duty and the Texans are hoping that he won't have to start, as they are a much better offensive team with Foster in the mix.
Foster has brushed off the injuries from last year and has been healthy for the most part this season, but now the groin could keep him out. Foster was very frustrated last week and had the team not had a bye week after the game when he was injured, he likely would have sat out. Fantasy owners need Foster to be healthy this week, as the playoffs are getting closer and he has been one of the top backs in the league past DeMarco Murray and Jamaal Charles. Foster is a fantastic PPR option and he has over 180 touches this year and has been averaging over five yards per carry.
The Texans are a totally different team with Foster in the lineup than when he is out of it and with Ryan Mallett starting for the first time, he needs a consistent rushing attack. Blue has been solid this season with 234 rushing yards and six receptions for 56 yards, but he is not the producer that Foster is when he starts. Blue had his best game early in the season against the Giants when Foster was out, but that was a loss for the Texans. Blue had 13 carries in that game for 78 yards and he had nearly 90 total yards in the matchup.