Rookie running backs Terrence West and Isaiah Crowell have shown promise in relief of injured starter Ben Tate over the last two weeks for the Cleveland Browns.
Tate sprained his knee in the Browns season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers and has been sidelined since.
West and Crowell have picked up the workload in his absence. West has started both games with the tandem rushing for 213 yards and three touchdowns. Crowell has averaged nearly five yards per carry on 22 carries in those two games.
But despite the promise of the young backs, the starting job will return to Tate when he’s able to get back on the field.
According to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal, running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery said Tate is the team’s starting back.
“That’s what we brought Tate here for, to be the starter,” Montgomery said. “He’s the No. 1 running back in this offense. Right now, you can say we miss him. We miss his experience. We miss his leadership with the group. Speaking from that standpoint, we’ll be open arms and welcome to have Ben back into the fold.”
Tate signed with Cleveland in the offseason to have a chance to start after being stuck behind Arian Foster in Houston the last few seasons.
Tate had six carries for 41 yards against Pittsburgh before leaving with the injury.