Steve Slaton has scored 78 fantasy points this season. (Mike Groll / Associated Press)

If it wasn’t bad enough that Texans RB Steve Slaton was benched after a first quarter fumble against the Bills (which in turn decimated countless fantasy lineups), now it seems he’s no lock to retain the top spot on the depth chart.

The Houston Chronicle reports that coach Gary Kubiak wouldn’t commit to Slaton as his starter, saying that he was “”in no hurry to make that decision.” However, Kubiak also said that he is “expecting [Slaton] to come right back next week and help.”

Looking past all the coach talk, it’s hard to envision a scenario where Slaton loses his starting role to Ryan Moats, even after his monster performance in Buffalo. After all, Moats is a journeyman back who found success against the league’s worst run defense.

Slaton is a more talented back who simply needs to cure a case of the fumbles.

Still, there is a chance that Kubiak will give Moats and RB Chris Brown more carries against the Colts. Moats could also steal the goal-line carries that Slaton seemed to have earned back heading into Week 7.

Whatever the scenario, this is a situation that needs to be monitored. It also makes starting Slaton in Week 9 a risk-reward proposition.

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