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Steelers bringing in Ben Tate as running back insurance

Ben Tate

Cleveland Browns running back Ben Tate walks off the field after a 31-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, in Cleveland. Tate scored two rushing touchdowns in the game. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

AP

With the playoffs on the line and an injured running back, the Steelers are bringing in a bell-cow back cut from the AFC North this year.

No, not that one.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Steelers are bringing in Ben Tate for a visit today, and expect to sign him.

Adding Tate’s insurance if Le’Veon Bell’s knee isn’t sufficiently recovered from Sunday night’s hyperextension.

Tate signed with Cleveland this offseason to be their lead back after years as Arian Foster’s understudy, but that role never materialized and he was cut midseason. He spent a few weeks with the Vikings, but never latched on.

Now, he could play a big role in the playoffs, as the Steelers lack the kind of every down back they need among Bell’s backups.