Once again the Houston Texans are left wondering if Arian Foster will be on the field Sunday. The star running back has been off and on the field since the season started nursing a hamstring injury that has made consistency an issue to start the year. Foster has been carrying his weight so far, putting up 247 yards and one touchdown through three games, but as the Texans enter an important matchup with the Dallas Cowboys, the Texans have no idea if the running back will be active or not.
Foster admitted there was a good chance he would not play against Dallas on Sunday. The veteran is coming off a career-worst game against the Buffalo Bills where he managed just six yards on eight carries. It was the first time in his career he was held to just one yard per carry. He told the media that he is no longer focused on his poor game, but instead trying to get healthy in time for Sunday. The running back continues to sit out practice while rehabbing a hamstring injury and called himself a game-time decision at best.
"I'm just going to go out there everyday and see how it feels," Foster said, via the Houston Chronicle. "If it feels good enough to play, I'll suit up."
If Foster is unable to play on Sunday, rookie Alfred Blue will be the premier starter for the team so adjust fantasy rosters accordingly. The running back is emerging as a true fantasy sleeper while running in tandem with Foster. Even when the veteran put up 138 yards, Blue still managed 40 on 11 carries. Blue could follow the footsteps of Ben Tate and bank off of Foster's injuries. Tate was signed to a nice free agency deal this past offseason with the Cleveland Browns because he got enough playing time to prove he could handle it. Blue could be starting along the same path and getting the start Sunday would be just the beginning.
"It's going good following Foster around and learning the system and learning what he does, how he's been a productive back in the NFL, one of the best at his position," Blue said. "Just him critiquing me in the game. I always ask questions even on routes and the run game and just how I can be better and how I can be better than him, really, when it's all said and done. Getting the opportunity to play early and be a significant player in the offense has been good. I've been getting a lot of reps on special teams and offense. It's a big role. It's really a dream come true."
