Houston Texans running back Ben Tate (44) gets past Pittsburgh...
Houston Texans running back Ben Tate (44) runs as New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Shaun Rogers (92) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Photo: Associated Press, Mike Stewart / AP
Houston Texans running back Ben Tate (44) runs as New Orleans...
Houston Texans running back Ben Tate (44) is surrounded by New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Scott Shanle (58) and New Orleans Saints strong safety Roman Harper (41) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans.
Photo: Houston Chronicle, Brett Coomer / © 2011 Houston Chronicle
Houston Texans running back Ben Tate (44) is surrounded by New...
Houston Texans running back Ben Tate (44) is surrounded by New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Scott Shanle (58) and New Orleans Saints strong safety Roman Harper (41) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans.
Photo: Houston Chronicle, Brett Coomer / © 2011 Houston Chronicle
Houston Texans running back Ben Tate (44) is surrounded by New...
CORRECTION Houston Texans running back Ben Tate (44) tries to block for Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) after a catch in the first quarter of a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011, in Sun Life Stadium in Miami.
Photo: Houston Chronicle, Nick De La Torre / © 2011 Houston Chronicle
CORRECTION Houston Texans running back Ben Tate (44) tries to...
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Running back Ben Tate (groin), cornerback Kareem Jackson (knee) and running back Derrick Ward (ankle, shoulder) didn't practice Wednesday. The coaches are hoping Tate will be ready to back up Arian Foster against Oakland.
"Derrick is day-to-day," coach Gary Kubiak said. "Ben's doing pretty well, so we're hopeful there as we move forward. Kareem did some individual (drills). He was brief in practice, and then we shut him down."
If Jackson can't start, Jason Allen will step in for the second straight game.
"Toward the end of the week, hopefully, they're both healthy," Kubiak said. "I think Jason's obviously earned the right to play more. Who's going to start the game? Let me watch practice this week and see. I consider them both starters. That's the way they're playing."
Nobody knows how much fullback James Casey is going to get the ball. He also may line up in the slot, at tight end or at wide receiver.
"James is a versatile player," coach Gary Kubiak said. "It just kind of all depends on what we're doing game-wise. We got in the game (Pittsburgh) last week where we were physical and running the ball and playing a lot of one-back formations, trying to protect our edges.
"You never know how a game's going to go. James has always got his stuff in the game plan where he's got a chance to be very productive."
For the second time in two years, running back Arian Foster was voted AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Foster carried 30 times for 155 yards and a touchdown in the 17-10 victory over theSteelers.
Foster won the award for the first time after the season-opening victory over Indianapolis last year.
With receiver Andre Johnson out for a while, expect Owen Daniels to move up a spot.
"I think everyone else has to step up and kind of make up for what Andre usually gives us," Daniels said. "I think it's going to have to be a lot of people stepping up and making the plays that he usually makes.
"It obviously hurts not to have him, but we've got a lot of guys that can make plays, and we're going to have people step up. We played the Raiders in the past without Andre. It won't be a new thing in terms of playing this team."
Running back Ben Tate (groin), cornerback Kareem Jackson (knee) and running back Derrick Ward (ankle, shoulder) didn't practice Wednesday. The coaches are hoping Tate will be ready to back up Arian Foster against Oakland.
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