KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs are bringing in a veteran running back for a look on the heels of Jamaal Charles’ knee injury.
Nov. 16, 2014; Cleveland; Browns running back Ben Tate runs the ball against the Houston Texans at FirstEnergy Stadium. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Free-agent running Ben Tate will work out for the Chiefs on Tuesday, a source familiar with the situation confirmed Monday morning with ChiefsDigest.com and The Topeka Capital-Journal.
Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reported the news of Tate’s workout first.
Tate, who split the 2014 season playing for the Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers, enters Tuesday’s workout in “great shape” and is scheduled to arrive in Kansas City on Monday night, according to the source.
The 5-11, 214-pound Tate originally entered the NFL in 2010 out of Auburn as a second-round pick of the Houston Texans, but spent the season on injured reserve with a broken ankle.
Tate, who served as Arian Foster’s primary backup in Houston, has appeared in 51 games (16 starts) on his career, totaling 2,382 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns on 545 attempts.
He also has versatility as a receiver out of the backfield, recording 69 catches for 356 yards on his career.
Tate’s best season statistically came in 2011 when he rushed for 942 yards and four touchdowns on 176 carries, adding 98 yards receiving on 13 catches.
He also has experience in the West Coast offense, having played in that scheme with the Texans under current Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak.
The Chiefs currently have running backs Charcandrick West and Knile Davis on the active roster behind Charles. Fullback Spencer Ware is on the practice squad, but Ware can also play tailback.
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Herbie Teope is the lead Chiefs beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com and The Topeka Capital-Journal. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @HerbieTeope.
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