Steelers sign Ben Tate; release Justin Brown

It's official, Ben Tate is the newest member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Here's the press release on Ben Tate's signing. READ: http://t.co/hAulvTQjve pic.twitter.com/Xj6TGkZeAr

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 30, 2014

The former second-round draft pick and Texan/Brown/Viking will add veteran leadership and be expected to serve as a blocking running back should he see the field at all. No word yet on whether Tate should expect to start or simply provide an experienced presence should Pittsburgh's young backs need help, and assuming Le'Veon Bell is unable to play on Sunday.

Regardless of whether Bell is expected to play, Tate could play mainly in passing situations, providing the Steelers a proven pass-protector, while saving Bell from the strain of blocking Terrell Suggs on a bad knee.

To make room for Tate, the Steelers waived wide receiver Justin Brown, who started the season No. 3 on the depth chart for Pittsburgh before being mostly inactive due to the breakout performance of Martavis Bryant and the steady presence of Lance Moore.

Welcome to Pittsburgh Ben Tate: may you finally win a Super Bowl.