Texans running back Ben Tate will not play against the Buffalo Bills in Week 9.
Tate was ruled out Friday after missing practice because of a hamstring injury. He did not practice all week. Justin Forsett will back up Arian Foster on Sunday, followed by recently re-signed rookie Jonathan Grimes.
Texans coach Gary Kubiak said Forsett will rotate with Foster in the same way that Tate normally does. A fifth-year pro who signed with the Texans in May, Forsett led the Texans in rushing in the preseason and has averaged 5.2 yards per carry this season.
"I just have a ton of confidence in him," Kubiak said. "There's just certain guys that come to camp and earn their keep and earn their way on the team and they earn it every day. Boy, he's really respected by our team, and every time we've given him a chance, he's done good stuff. We'll keep the rotation. He'll basically take Ben's spot."
Grimes will play at least on special teams against the Bills. An undrafted rookie from William & Mary, Grimes started the season on the Texans' practice squad, spent three games with the New York Jets and was claimed off waivers by the Texans on Wednesday.
"There is not another player I could have picked up in the middle of the week that I think could actually go in and play for us and help us, but I feel that way about Grimes," Kubiak said.
Tate, a third-year back out of Auburn, has 43 carries for 178 yards (4.1 average) and two touchdowns this season. He ran for 942 yards (5.4 per carry) in 2011.
No other Texans players are out, doubtful or questionable for Sunday's game. Nose tackle Shaun Cody (back), who missed practice on Wednesday, and safety Quintin Demps, who has missed the last three games with a broken forearm, are probable.
Twitter.com/NickScurfield
