Texans RB Arian Foster was a workhorse in the season opener.  He touched the ball on 29 of Houston's 55 plays -- a whopping 52.7%.  He expects to continue to be utilized that way.  "He said that all offseason, and (it's) not lip service," Foster said about HC Bill O'Brien giving him a heavy workload. "That's what he wants to do."  Foster's role will make him a weekly RB1 as long as he stays healthy.  We still worry about his ability to make it through the season.  It could make him a nice "sell high" candidate if he strings together a few more productive games.

Texans RB Arian Foster told reporters on Tuesday that he's feeling "wonderful, physically."  He missed a good chunk of training camp and all 4 preseason games with a hamstring injury.  That, of course, followed last year's back surgery.  It's possible that the quiet August has Foster entering the season fresher than he would have been otherwise, though.  We still worry about his ability to stay healthy this season, but he'll be a must-start in fantasy whenever he's on the field.

Texans RB Arian Foster and WR Andre Johnson both returned from their hamstring injuries on Wednesday.  Both guys had been sidelined for over 2 weeks.  That was valuable practice time they missed, especially considering Houston is installing a new offense with a new QB.  If they can stay on the field now, though, they'll still have over 3 weeks to settle in before the start of the regular season.  We're not in love with either player at their current ADPs -- Foster in the late 2nd and Johnson in the early 4th.

Texans RB Jonathan Grimes continued to work as the #2 RB in Monday's practice, according to insider Brian Smith.  Grimes started the preseason opener with Arian Foster (hamstring) sidelined, carrying 10 times for 39 yards.  “Grimes’ experience overall probably has him a little ahead of Alfred [Blue]," HC Bill O’Brien said. “But Alfred’s doing a good job for a guy that just got here."  As for RB Andre Brown, O'Brien only said, "He’s out there. He’s involved with special teams and things like that."  Brown is clearly buried on the depth chart, with Grimes looking like the favorite to open the season as Houston's #2 RB.  The 2012 undrafted free agent totaled 73 yards on 21 carries (3.5 YPC) across 2 appearances for the Texans last year.  He's not a special talent, but his place on the depth chart behind an injury-prone starter makes Grimes at least worth putting on fantasy watch lists.

As expected, Texans RB Arian Foster (undisclosed) and WR Andre Johnson (hamstring) will miss Saturday’s preseason game at Arizona. There’s simply no reason for the team to push their veterans. Foster's still a risky RB1, while Johnson boasts WR2 value.

Texans RB Arian Foster returned to practice on Wednesday.  He ended up missing just 2 days with that bum hamstring.  It obviously wasn't a serious injury, but it's a good reminder that Foster is one of the bigger injury risks in fantasy football.  He's a boom-or-bust pick at his current 2.12 ADP.

Texans RB Arian Foster injured his hamstring on Sunday.  He didn't practice on Monday or Tuesday.  “He’s dealing with something,” HC Bill O’Brien said. “He’ll be fine. He’ll be back. It’s a minor deal. You know, it’s a long season. He’ll be out there.”  As "minor" as Foster's injury might be, it's concerning for a guy with a history of hammy trouble.  Foster missed 3 games with a bum hamstring in 2011 and appeared on the injury report with a hamstring in 2012.  We'll keep a close eye on Foster's status this time around.  He's a classic risk/reward pick in the 2nd round of fantasy drafts.

Texans RB Arian Foster said last week that he expects to play a significant role in the passing game this season.  HC Bill O'Brien offered confirmation on Tuesday.  “In the past, we’ve had guys like Kevin Faulk, Danny Woodhead in this offense that have filled those types of roles,” the former Patriots assistant said. “And now it looks like definitely Arian will be able to do that and more.”  Faulk averaged 33 catches per season with the Patriots; Woodhead averaged 31.  Foster is a good bet to surpass those marks.  “He’s got really good hand-eye coordination,” O’Brien said. “He’s got good hands. He’s an instinctive player so he has a good idea about how to get open. And he enjoys being involved in the passing game, both on the protection basis and then routes."  Foster won't be hurting for touches when he's on the field this year.  The question is how long his body can hold up.

Texans RB Arian Foster expects to play a significant role in new HC Bill O'Brien's passing game.  "Coach O'Brien has expressed many times how he wants to use me a lot out of the backfield," Foster said.  "That's one of my strengths as a running back. So I'm excited about it."  Between 2010 and 2011, Foster averaged 4.1 catches and 42 receiving yards per game.  Those numbers plummeted to 2.6 and 17 over the past 2 years.  Getting back around those 2010 and 2011 marks will go a long way toward a bounce-back season for Foster.

Texans insider John McClain confirms that rookie Alfred Blue will be competing for the team's #3 RB job.  Arian Foster and Andre Brown are locked into the top 2 spots on the depth chart.  We like Blue's chances of winning the #3 job, though.  The 6th-round pick struggled with injuries at LSU, making just 7 career starts.  But he averaged 6.0 yards per carry.  Blue isn't a speedster but checks in at 6'2, 223 pounds and is considered a reliable receiver out of the backfield.  NFL.com's Nolan Nawrocki calls him a "second-round talent on talent alone."  Considering Foster's workload and injury history and Brown's mediocre skill-set, Blue looks like an intriguing deep sleeper in dynasty leagues.

Texans RB Arian Foster was on the field for OTAs on Tuesday -- his first practice with the team since last year's season-ending back injury.  “He’s cleared,” HC Bill O’Brien. “He looked good. He looked fine."  So far, so good with Foster's recovery from November back surgery.  Back issues are tricky, though, especially for a soon-to-be 28-year-old RB with over 1,100 NFL carries on his resume.  Foster will remain an injury risk in 2014 fantasy drafts, but he'll also carry RB1 upside when healthy.

Texans RB Arian Foster (back) confirmed that he'll be ready for the start of OTAs.  He underwent a back surgery in November that he says "wasn't as major as it sounded."  He was medically cleared in mid-March.  Back issues can be tricky, so Foster will be worth monitoring this summer.  His combination of age and workload make him an injury risk in 2014, but he'll remain a 3-down workhorse as long as he's on the field.

Texans RB Arian Foster tweeted late Saturday night that doctors have medically cleared him to return to the field.  Foster had back surgery in November and has been expected to make a full return for 2014.  Fantasy owners should remain somewhat wary, though, after a series of injuries the past couple of years.  Houston also might need to add another reserve now that RB Ben Tate has moved on to Cleveland.

Texans GM Rick Smith updated the status of RB Arian Foster's rehab from back surgery.  "He’s doing well, he’s working hard," Smith said.  "He’s in the building and in the training room consistently and all the reports that I’m getting from (head trainer) Geoff (Kaplan) indicate to me that he’s going to be fine.”  It's the 1st update we've had on Foster since he went under the knife on November 14th.  Back surgeries are always troublesome, especially for a RB whose body appears to be breaking down.  Foster only turns 28 in August, but we're not crazy about his odds of returning to elite fantasy status.  He'll remain a risky pick in 2014 fantasy football drafts.

The Texans have tabbed Bill O'Brien as their new HC.  O'Brien spent the past 2 years at Penn State, where he led the Nittany Lions to a 15-9 record -- impressive considering all the sanctions after the Jerry Sandusky fiasco.  Before arriving at Penn State, O'Brien spent the previous 5 years as an assistant under Bill Belichick in New England.  O'Brien is regarded as one of the best young offensive minds in the game.  We like the hire for guys like Arian Foster, Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins.

Texans RB Arian Foster underwent back surgery on Thursday.  “His surgery went well, and that’s about all I know," HC Gary Kubiak said.  "I don’t normally have any more particulars on it. (He’ll) start the recovery process (now).”  It's believed that Foster had a lumbar spine issue, although the team hasn't provided any details.  We'll keep a close eye on Foster's progress this offseason.  He'll be a risk/reward fantasy pick, at best, next summer.  Foster will be 28 in August, has carried over 1,000 times in the past 4 seasons and dealt with back, hamstring and calf issues this year.

Texans RB Arian Foster needs season-ending back surgery.  It's unclear when the operation will be performed or how long it will keep him sidelined.  Regardless, Foster will enter the 2014 season as a 28-year-old RB with over 1,100 career carries and a lengthy injury history.  Ben Tate now steps in as Houston's lead back for the rest of this season.  He's playing through 4 broken ribs, but remember that he's in a contract year.  That gives him plenty of motivation to play through pain.  Tate has borderline RB1 upside as long as he's on the field.  #2 RB Dennis Johnson is just 1 more injury away from a starting job and should be owned in all fantasy leagues of 10+ teams.

Texans insider John McClain believes RB Arian Foster might need back surgery that would cost him the rest of the 2013 season.  McClain seems to be speculating, but he's one of the most dialed-in reporters in the country.  Foster visited multiple back specialists this week, which might mean he's looking for a more favorable prognosis than he's received so far.  Fantasy owners should obviously hang on to Foster for now, but Ben Tate and probably even Dennis Johnson should be rostered in all fantasy leagues.  Remember that Tate is playing through 4 broken ribs.

Texans RB Arian Foster (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.  He spent the week visiting back specialists and has no timetable for return.  RB Ben Tate will serve as Houston's lead back this weekend and is a strong bet for 15+ carries.  Despite a tough matchup, he's a rock-solid RB2.  Dennis Johnson will serve as the #2 RB.

Texans RB Arian Foster (back) missed his 2nd straight practice on Thursday.  At this point, we'd be surprised if he was able to play against the Cardinals this weekend.  That means another busy day for RB Ben Tate, who carried 22 times last Sunday night.