Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
By now, you have heard that Houston Texans RB Arian Foster has been shutdown for the remainder of the fantasy football season. The All-Pro back had a lingering back problem and the team opted for the star to have season-ending back surgery. It was the exclamation point on a miserable fantasy season for Foster.
The absence of Foster has given his backup, Ben Tate, an opportunity of a lifetime. Tate will now get sole control of the running back duties in Houston and young back has become a strong RB3 to start down the stretch.
Tate ripped off 88 rushing yards on 19 carries last week against the Oakland Raiders. He also added four receptions for 29 yards, which combined for an impressive 107 all-purpose yards. He looked very decisive in choosing his holes and the back is a much tougher inside runner than he gets credit for.
Houston faces an abysmal Jacksonville Jaguars team in Week 12, in what will likely be another blowout. Jacksonville hasn’t be able to stop anyone on either side of the ball, but their run defense has been particularly awful. The Jags are currently giving up 139.1 yards per game and are the worst in the entire league. This is the matchup that Tate owners have been waiting for.
Tate should have no problem posting his second consecutive game with over 100 all-purpose yards with his favorable matchup. If you own the new starting back, make sure to get him active for Week 12.
Adam McGill is the Senior Fantasy Sports Writer at Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @adammcgill83, like him on Facebook, or add him to you networks on Google here or here.
