Berea, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - The Cleveland Browns have waived running back Ben Tate just eight games into his tenure with the club.
Tate signed with the Browns as a free agent in March after spending his first three seasons with Houston. He started six games and rushed for just 333 yards with a 3.1-yard average and four touchdowns this season.
A knee injury in the season opener at Pittsburgh forced him to miss the next two games. He returned for a Week 5 game at Tennessee and ran for 124 yards in a 29-28 win, but has had mostly declining performances since.
The emergence of rookies Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell also factored into the decision.
"With all the transactions we make while constructing our roster, it will always be our intent to do what is best for our football team," said general manager Ray Farmer in a statement on the club's website. "This move is no different and we wish Ben the best going forward."
Tate ran for 771 yards with four touchdowns and caught 34 passes for 140 yards in 14 games last season and had a banner rookie campaign in 2011 with 942 yards in 15 games.
The 26-year-old Auburn product has 2,325 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in 48 NFL games.
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