National Football League

Bill O'Brien reassures Arian Foster's fantasy owners

Published Jun. 11, 2015 11:28 a.m. ET

foxsports

NFL players have a well-documented love-hate relationship with fantasy football owners.

Crazed fans who ask these elite athletes to “Score a touchdown today . . . for my fantasy team!” or “Should I drop you in my fantasy league?” surely get annoying. Some, like wide receiver Torrey Smith, have responded to the outspoken minority who participate in the game.

But when Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien was asked Monday to assess running back Arian Foster’s expected workload — and consequently, his fantasy value — for the upcoming season, O’Brien provided a coach-like, yet helpful answer. Per ESPN’s Tania Ganguli:

“It was noted to O’Brien that those fantasy football players who have Foster on their teams would appreciate assurances that he’ll be used as he has been in the past.

‘Well, we have a very good running back,’ O’Brien said. ‘So you can rest assured that as long as he’s healthy and he’s out there, we will run the ball. I can tell you that. That’s one thing we will do.'”

It’s rather neat that O’Brien replied to a fantasy football-driven question, especially since coaches are often reluctant to give away any information about a game plan. However, it’s no secret that the Texans— who don’t really have a game-changing quarterback — want Foster to carry the load.

Foster averaged 20 carries and 96 yards per game last season, and he totaled eight touchdowns. Despite missing three outings, Foster finished the year as the No. 5 scoring running back in FOX Fantasy rankings.

So, as long as he stays healthy and O’Brien keeps his word, Foster should again finish near the top of fantasy football scoring charts.

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