Ben Tate has had a really weird 2014.
The former second-round pick will be on his fourth team in the last calendar year, as he signed with the playoff-bound Pittsburgh Steelers right before they play the Baltimore Ravens. Starting tailback Le'Veon Bell, one of the NFL's top backs, is battling a knee injury. The Steelers don't have much depth behind him, and if Bell can't go or is limited, they need someone to play.
Enter Tate, a once-promising back who is bouncing around the league like a ping-pong ball.
The former Houston Texans running back started the offseason as one of the top running backs in free agency, but the market for backs has plummeted. So he settled for a two-year contract worth a little more than $6.5 million. Outplayed by rookies Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell, the Browns cut Tate. He went to the Minnesota Vikings, got just 13 carries for 38 yards in three games there, and was cut again. He has 371 yards and a 3.1-yard average for the season.
So at least when the Steelers had some concern about Bell, there was some veteran on the market for them to grab. The Steelers hope that Tate never sees the field in the playoffs, but that will depend on Bell.
Bell was hit low by Bengals safety Reggie Nelson and hyperextended his right knee. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told the Pittsburgh media that Bell rode a stationary bike on Wednesday, and the team will "leave the light on for him" to play. Bell has one fewer day than usual because the Steelers play on Saturday night.
The Steelers will be hoping Bell plays, but Tate will be insurance if he can't. And once the postseason is over, Tate can start looking for yet another team.
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