Arian Foster wasn't going to let a "sore knee" keep him out of the Houston Texans' season opener.
And now all those fantasy football nuts can breath easy.
Foster is active and set to play against the Miami Dolphins. Perhaps more importantly in the big picture of the actual game, linebacker Brooks Reed (hip injury) is active and playing as well.
One could argue that the safer course of action would be to rest Foster in Week One. But it's important to Foster to play.
The only slight surprise among the Texans' inactives is that rookie wide receiver DeVier Posey will sit out the game. Posey struggled through parts of training camp and the preseason before breaking free for that 80 yard catch-and-run touchdown in the last game of the preseason.
Foster is backed up by arguably the best second-string running back in the NFL in Ben Tate. One could argue that the safer course of action would be to rest Foster in Week One. Especially with the Texans shooting for a long playoff run.
But it's important to Foster to play.
He signed a big contract in the offseason. He doesn't want to be deemed anything close to a fragile running back (especially not after missing the opener last season). He carries an immense sense of responsibility.
To Foster it doesn't matter that Tate could carry the load. He feels its his load.
Reed is a crucial component of Wade Phillips' Bulls On Parade defense. Expecting a rookie playing his first NFL game (Whitney Mercilus) to slide into Reed's spot and not lose anything is unrealistic.
Now the Texans will have Reed at least in the defensive rotation.
