The Houston Texans are dealing with an injury to Arian Foster and if he has to sit out in Week 12, Alfred Blue will make the start and fantasy football owners should handcuff the RB to Foster, as Ryan Mallett will continue to start and that means the Texans likely will rush the ball quite a bit and this comes after Blue had over 150 yards against the Browns this past weekend.
Foster was out on Sunday and that was a big hit for fantasy owners, but Blue came through with a strong performance and that helped with his absence. The presence of Blue helped the Texans control the game flow against the Browns and now the team has the Bengals, who have given up a lot of yards on the ground this season. The matchup is favorable to Foster and Blue, but obviously Foster is the better back and he could be in line for a big performance if he gets back in action.
Blue comes in after getting 36 carries against the Browns and with Ryan Mallett continuing to start, the Texans likely will keep rushing the ball. Foster has been fantastic this season, but Blue has come through when needed and he has 390 yards this season and one 100-yard game from this past Sunday. Blue is a better option than Jonathan Grimes and after going for 36 carries on Sunday, the Texans could continue feeding him the ball. If Foster returns, he obviously is the main start option.
Foster will get more rest this week and he is a high end fantasy starter if he is healthy. Foster gets more involved in the passing game than Blue and with the way the Bengals have played against the rush this season, Foster or Blue could be in line for a strong performance.
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 again. 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.
