Texans RB Steve Slaton was one of the bigger fantasy sleepers in the league last year, producing 50 catches, 1,659 scrimmage yards and 10 total touchdowns. Numbers that made him a first-round pick in 2009.

But Slaton looks more like a back who should be on the waiver wire after two weeks. He’s posted just 51 rushing yards and hasn’t scored a touchdown. Slaton is also losing carries to Chris Brown in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

Now comes a report out of the Cincinnati Enquirer that seems to suggest the Texans regret not signing then free agent and current Bengals running back Cedric Benson.

“We had our chance with Cedric in free agency,” coach Gary Kubiak said. “It just didn’t work out. … We’ve got people to run the ball. But they have to run the ball better and we have to help them run the ball better. You know, hindsight is 20-20. We’ve got to play with the people we’ve got.”

That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement for Slaton.

To his credit, Slaton has faced two of the better run defenses (Jets, Titans) in the first two weeks. Things will get easier, though, as he’ll take on teams with lesser run defenses like the Jaguars, Raiders, Bengals, Bills and Colts over the next several weeks.

Slaton also has some great matchups in the fantasy playoffs with contests against the Seahawks (Week 14) and Rams (Week 15).

For now, you have to stick with Slaton and hope he’ll turn things around when the matchups ease. And I think he will — there’s no way he’ll be this bad for the entire season.

In fact, I think the real concern is Brown taking all the goal-line work.

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