By KRISTIE RIEKEN
AP Sports Writer

HOUSTON(AP) -- Steve Slaton became a key to Houston's offense as a
rookie last year when he ran for a franchise-record 1,282 yards.

This season he's tied for the NFL lead in lost fumbles with five
and his job as a starter is in jeopardy after Ryan Moats had a
huge day filling in for him. Moats, a career backup, ran for 126
yards and three touchdowns after Slaton was benched in the first
quarter of Houston's 31-10 win over the Bills.

Coach Gary Kubiak won't say who'll start in Sunday's key
division matchup at Indianapolis. Along with Slaton and Moats,
Houston has Chris Brown, who is primarily used in short-yardage
and goal line situations.

"They know they're all going to play and they know they're all
going to be a part of what we're doing, so I just think we keep
working them," Kubiak said. "Obviously, Ryan earned some time on
the football field the way he played. But we've got to get all
three of them ready to play."

Regardless of who starts, coaches and players agree they'll need
Slaton's playmaking ability against the Colts.

Slaton has gotten off to a slow start this season with 110
carries for 342 yards rushing and two scores, but has
supplemented his work in the running game with 314 yards
receiving and three touchdowns.

Left tackle Duane Brown talked to Slaton after the game to
remind him that everyone is rooting for him and expects him to
rebound from this adversity.

"Everyone here has so much belief in Steve and what he can do,"
Brown said. "It's just about him bouncing back and this will
definitely be a big week to do it. We're going to need everyone
to get this win and he's a very key part of this team and what
we have going."

The Texans continue to run drills in practice focusing on trying
to make the running backs fumble. On Wednesday, they even had a
cornerback run after them after plays were done to try and knock
it loose.

Slaton was not made available to reporters Wednesday, but talked
about his struggles after the game Sunday.

"It's hard," he said. "You always want to go out there and be a
part of the team game, but we rode the hot hand and Moats had a
great game and got it done for us."

If Slaton doesn't start on Sunday, it will break a streak of 23
consecutive starts for the third-round pick. Moats said who
starts doesn't really matter.

"When you were a younger guy in high school and college,
starting was a big thing to you," he said. "But in this
situation, I don't think it's that important because in this
league today no one back can do it all. You have to do it
together."

Moats, who is in his second year with the Texans after two
seasons with the Eagles, has found himself in the strange
position of comforting Slaton while possibly taking his job.

"You can't deny that he's a good back and you can't deny that
he's a great runner and he's going to continue to have great
runs in the future," Moats said. "So I think with me playing for
a longer time than he has, I try to help him as much as I can.
You never want to play out a guy that's going to be an important
part of this offense for a long time to come."