UPDATE II: John McClain of The Houston Chronicle reported Foster was benched to start the game because he missed one meeting last week and was late to another.

UPDATE: Foster made his first appearance in the game at the 6:20 mark of the second quarter, the Texan’s second drive of the quarter.

Through one quarter of action in Oakland, Texans RB Arian Foster hasn’t touched the field.  His absence isn’t due to an injury, though, as the word from the press box is that Foster isn’t playing due to a coach’s decision.

The Texans are using a rotation of Derrick Ward and Steve Slaton to replace Foster, the NFL’s leading rusher entering Week 4. There hasn’t been any indication of why Foster is being held out, or if the Texans plan to keep him out for the first quarter, the first half or the entire game.

Whatever the reason, Texans coach Gary Kubiak has decided Foster isn’t playing.

The Texans have done just fine without Foster, as Ward has four rushes for 49 yards and a TD, while Slaton has four rushes for 35 yards.

– Frank Tadych

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