"Coach Gary Kubiak hasn't ruled out running back Arian Foster starting against Indianapolis on Sunday, but after missing a third consecutive practice Friday, it's looking more and more like Foster won't play in the Texans' season opener against the Colts.

Kubiak reiterated it will be a game-time decision.

"Arian did not practice today but went extremely hard in his rehab and took a big step forward," Kubiak said. "I'm going to work him out in the morning. He will be a game-time decision.

"With what we were doing (Friday), I don't think he missed much. We put him through reps in his own way. He's got a regimen he goes through. I'm not worried about Arian knowing what to do. He can line up and play.

"We'll be honest with ourselves as far as the assessment goes, and a lot of that will have to do with how he works for us tomorrow morning, but he worked very, very hard today."

Derrick Ward is prepared to start. Ben Tate and Steve Slaton will be available off the bench.

"If that happens, we could use all three of them," Kubiak said.

Ward, who averaged 6.3 yards per carry last season, has taken snaps with the starters all week.

"I always practice like I'm going to play a lot, so it's no different from past years," Ward said. "I'll be ready to go on. I've had a great training camp. I feel fresh. I have a better understanding of the offense, obviously, being underneath it for a year now, and I'm just excited."

Ward has been helping mentor Tate, who averaged 7.4 yards per carry in preseason after missing last year with a broken ankle.

"Ben, he's learned real fast," Ward said. "He had all last year off getting back from his injury, and this year he turned some heads in camp. He's still young. He's still raw and with a couple games underneath his belt he'll be a good player in this league."

Foster has taken a low-key approach all week. He has worked closely with trainer Geoff Kaplan during practice. While his teammates prepared for the Colts on one field, Foster worked with Kaplan on the other."