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Pittsburgh Steelers sign Ben Tate as Le’Veon Bell insurance

ByBrandon C. Williams|
Nov 30, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Ben Tate (33) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Ben Tate (33) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed RB Ben Tate on Tuesday, as the AFC North champions find a replacement for injured Pro Bowl back Le’Veon Bell.

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With Pro Bowl running back Le’Veon Bell’s immediate future up in the air, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Ben Tate on Tuesday, marking the fourth team Tate has been with in the 2014 calendar year.

Bell suffered a hyperextended knee in last Sunday’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals and is doubtful for Saturday night’s AFC Wild Card game against the rival Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers only have rookies Dri Archer and Josh Harris available on the active roster after LeGarrette Blount — who opened the season as Bell’s backup — was released in November.

Tate began the year with the Houston Texans before becoming the top free agent back on the market. He signed with the Cleveland Browns and played eight games with them before he was released. Tate then found his way to the Minnesota Vikings and played three games before finding himself on the free agent streets again. He totaled 371 yards and four touchdowns on 119 attempts this season.

The Steelers would love to see the Ben Tate of 2011 show up for them in the postseason. That was the year Tate ran for 942 yards and averaged 5.4 yards per carry with the Texans. He is expected to get the bulk of the carries, with Archer likely becoming the third down/passing situation back in place of Bell, who caught 83 passes for 854 yards this season.

Wide receiver Justin Brown was waived in order to open a roster spot for Tate. Brown had 12 catches for 94 yards in eight games during his rookie season.

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