HOUSTON -- Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak liked what he saw out of backup running back Ben Tate Monday night and wants to keep his carries close to starter Arian Foster's for now.

"I wish it would have come out a little more closer to even; I think I said that after the game," Kubiak said of their split Monday night in San Diego. "Obviously, it was Arian's first time out this year. He didn't play any in the preseason. I think Ben's had an excellent preseason. I want to keep it somewhat close right now and watch them working to [see] what's going on."

Houston faces Tennessee in their first division game this Sunday. The Texans' plan was to alternate the running backs in the season opener. They felt confident in Tate's preseason, in which he was healthy and productive.

Foster, on the other hand, spent training camp recovering from a calf injury that was followed by a back injury. He didn't play at all during the preseason and said he felt fresh because of it.

In the Texans' 31-28 win against the San Diego Chargers Monday night, Foster had 18 carries for 57 yards, an average of 3.2 yards per carry. Tate had nine carries for 55 yards, an average of 6.1 yards per carry.

Neither scored a touchdown as quarterback Matt Schaub threw all three of his touchdown passes to his tight ends. Foster also caught six of eight passes thrown to him and Tate caught each of his two targets.