Tate (knee) returned to practice Tuesday, the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Tate has missed the Browns' past two games due to a sprained knee suffered in Week 1. However, coming off Cleveland's bye week, Tate returned to the practice field Tuesday, which bodes well for his chances of playing against the Titans this Sunday. If that proves to happen, Tate is expected to reclaim his starting running back position, which would result in rookies Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell being relegated to more complimentary roles. While Tate's fantasy owners should feel encouraged about his progress, his status should still be monitored leading up to Sunday's game in Tennessee to ensure he's indeed available to play.

Tate (knee) did not take part in Thursday's practice, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

The Browns are off this Sunday, so though it would be nice for Tate's fantasy owners to see him on the field, his absence should not be a major concern at this point. Tate's participation, or lack thereof, in next week's practices sessions will likely determine whether or not he is able to return to action in Week 5.

Browns running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery said Wednesday that he expects Tate (knee) to return to his starting role once healthy, the Akron Beacon Journal reports. "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 [Tate] back into the fold."

Tate, who sprained his knee in the regular-season opener, rode a stationary bike instead of practicing Wednesday, but it sounds like has a chance to be ready to go following the team's Week 4 bye. Meanwhile, Isiah Crowell took the first reps in individual drills during the media-access portion of practice instead of Terrance West, who has averaged just 3.3 yards per carry in his two starts this season. Crowell has averaged 5.2 yards per carry on 27 attempts with three touchdowns, and it sounds like he'll remain a factor in the ground game even upon Tate's return.

Tate (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell thus remain in line to handle the Browns' Week 3 rushing duties, with Tate a candidate to return to action following the team's Week 4 bye.

Tate (knee) sat out practice Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Meanwhile, coach Mike Pettine acknowledged that Tate remains unlikely to suit up this weekend, which sets the stage for Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell to handle the team's Week 3 rushing duties, as they did this past Sunday against the Saints.

Coach Mike Pettine acknowledged that Tate probably won't be back for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Assuming he sits Sunday, with the Browns on bye in Week 4, Tate could possibly return in time for the team's Week 5 contest against the Titans. Meanwhile, Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell appear on track to handle the team's Week 3 rushing duties.

While Tate (right knee) didn't rule out playing in Week 3 against the Ravens, he acknowledged that the Browns' Week 4 bye "comes at a good time," the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Assuming Tate sits through the Browns' bye week, he could return in time for the team's Week 5 contest against the Titans. In the meantime, Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell will handle the team's backfield duties.

Coach Mike Pettine confirmed Wednesday that Tate will miss some time with a knee sprain, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

At the very least, Tate will miss Sunday's game against the Saints, with Pettine adding that Terrance West will start Week 2's contest in place of Tate, with Isaiah Crowell in line to work in a complementary role.

Tate (knee) is expected to miss 2-to-4 weeks with a sprained knee, NFL.com reports.

Tate went down during the first half of Sunday's Week 1 loss after totaling 41 yards on his first six carries as a Brown. Cleveland's offseason signing did not return to the game due to a knee sprain. For a player that has never completed a full season, durability was a concern surrounding Tate entering this season, but fortunately the running back will not require surgery. Instead, the length of his sideline spell will hinge on how his knee recovers, with a timetable of 2-to-4 weeks currently placed on Tate's return. While he's out, rookies Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell, who both fared very well Sunday, are expected to handle the Browns' backfield duties.

Coach Mike Pettine indicated Monday that he didn't have an injury update on Tate (knee), Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

The same applies to TE Jordan Cameron, with added hints regarding their Week 2 status bound to arrive no later than Wednesday's practice. Next up for the Browns' carries if Tate is limited or out this weekend are Terrence West (16 carries for 100 yards on Sunday) and Isiah Crowell (who recorded five carries for 32 yards and two TDs).

Tate (knee) will not return to Sunday's game, NFL.com reports.

Tate went down with a knee injury, which will keep him sidelined for the remainder of Sunday's contest. Amid durability concerns entering this season, Tate has already been bit by the injury bug, although his status beyond Week 1 is still undetermined. Nonetheless, rookies Terrence West and Isiah Crowell will handle carries out of Cleveland's backfield in Tate's absence.

Tate suffered a knee injury during Sunday's game against the Steelers and is considered questionable to return, Cleveland.com reports.

Tate totaled six carries for 41 yards prior to exiting Sunday's contest. While it's unclear whether he'll be able to return, rookie Terrance West figures to handle touches out of the Browns' backfield for the time being.

Coach Mike Pettine indicated Sunday that he's comfortable using Tate as a third down back, the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Tate is "probably the guy you can trust the most right now," according to Pettine, who also praised the back for his pass-catching ability out of the backfield, an essential skill if he's going to see the field on third down. Tate caught a career-best 34 passes last season with Houston, and it's an area of his game that he continues to refine. Heading into camp, rookie back Terrance West was expected to threaten some of Tate's workload, but after a lackluster preseason, it looks as if the job is unquestionably Tate's. Heading into Week 1, look for Tate to be the Browns' every-down back.

Tate gained eight yards on three carries with a touchdown in Thursday's preseason finale against the Bears.

Tate only saw work on one drive with Brian Hoyer and the first-team offense, and after scoring at the goal line, he didn't see another snap. His main running back competition -- rookie Terrance West -- did little to impress, gaining only 13 yards on six carries and losing a fumble. Tate remains the unquestioned starter heading into Week 1, but the real concern here is his durability, as he's missed at least one game in each of his three NFL seasons, including seven total over the past two years.

Tate gained five yards on three carries in Saturday's preseason game against the Rams.

Terrance West didn't fare any better and hasn't done enough to displace Tate from the starting role. However, the rookie looms as a threat to eat into Tate's workload, which should be pretty significant early in the season. While he figures to touch the ball rather frequently, Tate may be taking a lot of those touches deep in his own territory, as the Cleveland offense has been awful this preseason.

Tate carried the ball 10 times for a total of 51 yards in Monday's preseason game against the Redskins.

Tate was effective in the running game, something the Browns will surely have to count on considering the dismal quarterback play of late. He out-shined the No. 2 back -- Terrance West -- who collected just 31 yards on eight carries of his own. Tate both looked and played like the veteran in this one, and continues to be the projected starter heading into the season.

Tate gained 25 yards on six carries in Saturday's preseason opener against the Lions.

Tate fumbled one of his carries but recovered the ball himself. He started and split the first-team work with Terrance West, who also saw some touches with the second-team offense. Tate remains the favorite to start, but West is seemingly in line for a significant role in the offense.

The Akron Beacon-Journal has Ben Tate "penciled in" as the Browns' starting running back with camp on the horizon.

Full-squad Browns camp begins Friday. Beat writer Nate Ulrich does consider third-round pick Terrance West a "legitimate threat." Tate has an early edge because of his background in Gary Kubiak's zone-running scheme, which is very similar to new Browns OC Kyle Shanahan's. If Tate makes it through camp healthy, he's the likely Week 1 starter. We still wouldn't be surprised if West ends up with more 2014 carries, based largely on Tate's injury history.

Browns.com's Vic Carucci considers Ben Tate "at least a slight favorite" for the team's starting tailback job, but expects third-round pick Terrance West to pose serious competition.

Carucci expects a "spirited" battle, stating West has "quickly emerged as a formidable challenger." Carucci notes West is a "natural" in OC Kyle Shanahan's outside-zone scheme, and it "wouldn't be the least bit surprising if he ends up winning the starting job or at least getting a significant number of carries in what is expected to be a run-oriented offense." Tate's Average Draft Position is the middle of the fifth round; West generally lasts until early in the eighth.

The Akron Beacon Journal describes new Browns OC Kyle Shanahan's offense as "predicated on being able to run effectively while mixing in the pass."

Browns LG John Greco also noted Shanahan will try to get his quarterback on the edges of the field. "We're not kind of limited to just pocket passing," Greco said. "We can get people on the move." Shanahan's 2014 offense will very likely attempt to mirror the success of the Redskins' 2012 offense, which led the NFL in rushing and ranked 30th in pass attempts. Ben Tate will benefit if he can stay healthy, though Terrance West will be breathing down his neck.