With Bell injured, Steelers sign Tate
FILE - In this Dec. 14, 2014, Minnesota Vikings running back Ben Tate (33) rushes against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit. The Pittsburgh Steelers signed well-traveled Ben Tate on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014, as a backup plan in case Le'Veon Bell's hyperextended right knee does not heal in time for Saturday night's wild-card game against Baltimore. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski, File)
Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell listens to a trainer after hyperextending his right knee in the third quarter against the Bengals Sunday.
PITTSBURGH – Following their release of LeGarrette Blount last month, the Steelers passed on the opportunity to make a claim on running back Ben Tate when he was put on waivers.
But with star running back Le’Veon Bell doubtful to play in Pittsburgh’s AFC Wildcard game Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens (10-6) at Heinz Field, the Steelers (11-5) signed Tate Tuesday and released wide receiver Justin Brown.
Even with the signing of Tate, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin isn’t ready to declare Bell, who suffered a hyperextended knee Sunday in a 27-17 victory over Cincinnati, out for the playoff game.
“We will be watching Le’Veon closely,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “He has no structural damage. It was a hyperextension of the knee. There is soreness, pain and discomfort associated with that. I don’t know whether or not he is going to be available for the game. We are going to take it day-by-day.
“I just met with him moments ago. He was downstairs on the stationary bike training like he was preparing for the Tour (de France). But that’s Le’Veon. The big thing for us is to prepare as if he does not play. … There won’t be any bikes on the field Saturday night.”
Tomlin said the decision on the status of Bell, who set the franchise single-season record with 2,215 yards from scrimmage, will be made by team doctors and will not be based on the importance of the game.
“We’re not going to be swayed by circumstance,” Tomlin said.
Hence the signing of Tate, a second-round draft pick of the Houston Texans in 2010.
Tate (5-11, 220) will be working for his fourth team in 12 months.
After leaving Houston as a free agent to sign this year with Cleveland on a two-year, $6.2-million deal, Tate was waived by the Browns after 10 games for complaining about sharing playing time with rookies Terrence West and Isaiah Crowell. Tate was claimed by Minnesota but released last week.
The same day Tate was waived, the Steelers released Blount for leaving the field early during a win over Tennessee. Blount was unhappy with his lack of playing time in that game. The Steelers did not place a waiver claim on Tate, instead choosing to elevate rookie Josh Harris from the practice squad.
Tate finished the regular season with 371 rushing yards rushing on 119 carries and four touchdowns. Tate has gained 2,363 yards with 14 touchdowns in his career.
He is expected to at the least provide depth behind Harris and fellow rookie Dri Archer.
“Josh Harris is at the top of the list,” Tomlin said. “Conventional wisdom would indicate that, but we’re not opposed to going outside the box with how we might prepare a winning formula for this football game.”
Tomlin believes Tate can help the Steelers against the Ravens though he will have only three days of practice.
“I think a man rightly motivated and given time to prepare can do it in a number of days,” Tomlin said. “We brought James Harrison back after Carolina. I know that he had been here in the past and it seemingly appears to be a plug and play. But that guy had been away from us for over 12 months. He’d been a part of another defense (and) learned the intricacies of another defense. … (He) was legitimately getting off the couch and he played for us that weekend.
“It’s not the case for Ben. He’s been in a training camp situation. He’s played football this year.”
Tomlin said the trainers will continue to monitor safety Troy Polamalu (knee), cornerback Ike Taylor (shoulder/forearm) and tight end Matt Spaeth (elbow). Tomlin would not commit to Polamalu returning to the starting lineup when healthy. Will Allen has started the past two games in his place. … The Steelers are 0-2 in wildcard games under Tomlin and 4-4 overall.