Sep 7, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Terrance West (28) runs the ball against Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cortez Allen (28) during the second half at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won the game, 30-27. Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Running back Ben Tate waited three seasons to be a featured back in the NFL, but in his first game with the Cleveland Browns he went down with a knee injury that could keep him on the sideline for one month.
Tate, a backup to Arian Foster for three seasons with the Houston Texans, signed a two-year, $6.2 million contract with the Browns in free agency.
He averaged 6.8 yards on six carries, rushing for 41 yards in the season opener at Pittsburgh, but was replaced by rookie Terrance West after Tate sprained his knee.
West, a rookie from Towson, rushed for 100 yards on 16 carries while Isaiah Crowell handled short-yardage and goal-line carries. That co-op is likely to continue Sunday, when the Browns host the New Orleans Saints.
West said entering the opener that he was motivated by Tate saying in August that no one in the running back room scared him, words in the midst of a position competition that West naturally took to heart.
“It’s competition,” West said. “We’re all competing. We push each other, each and every day. We’re competing. We come out each and every day to compete. No one has a spot right now on the roster. That’s what we’re out here to do, come out and earn a spot. I can come out here, work hard, and make it hard for the coaches. That’s all I can do, control what I can control.”
Tate’s last carry was a 25-yard run in the second quarter. He has never played a full 16-game season.
He missed time with a rib injury in 2013, and his rookie season with a broken ankle.
In just three seasons at Towson, West rushed for 4,849 yards and 84 touchdowns. He’s already shown he can be a workhorse with 780 carries at Towson.
The Browns traded to get him in the third round with the 94th overall pick.
Head coach Mike Pettine said West proves himself regularly in practice and strives to improve every area of his game. He noted major gains made in West’s receiving skills.
“I think the more guys you can have like that, the better,” Pettine said.
