HOUSTON (December 23, 2012) -- Texans running back Arian Foster left Sunday's 23-6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings with an irregular heartbeat.

"I'll be OK," Foster said. "It's a very minor situation, so I'll be OK."

Foster, the team's leading rusher, left the game after gaining 15 yards on 10 carries. He also had two catches for 14 yards. His last play came with about nine minutes left in the third quarter.

Ben Tate took over after Foster left the game.

Coach Gary Kubiak said Foster had experienced the problem once before in practice.

"He calms down and he's fine," Kubiak said.

The medical staff told Kubiak that Foster was OK late in Sunday's game and could return. But Kubiak thought it would be best to give him the rest of the game off.

"I know they're on top of it and he's feeling fine," Kubiak said.