Vikings Claim Running Back Ben Tate Off Waivers From Cleveland

With Adrian Peterson dealing with a suspension handed down by the league and both Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon tending to injuries, the Vikings took to waivers Wednesday (November 19) to claim Ben Tate to fill the void.

Minnesota won the claim of Tate over Arizona and Indianapolis, who also had claims for him. Due to the Vikings record, they were awarded the rusher after Cleveland waived him earlier this week. Tate will collect a guaranteed $352,941 for the rest of this season and an additional $46,875 for each game he is on the 46-man game day roster. Salary details for 2015 are still up in the air.

Tate opened the season as Cleveland's starter in the backfield, but a knee injury sidelined him for a chunk of the season, allowing the duo of Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West to shine in his absence. Following Tate's return, the Browns decided to part ways with Tate in favor of the Crowell-West tandem.

Tate started 6 games for Cleveland, collecting 333 yards on 106 carries and 4 touchdowns this season. He has a total of 2,325 career yards and 14 career touchdowns since being drafted by the Houston Texans in the 2nd round of the 2010 draft. He spend the first three years of his career sharing backfield duties with Arian Foster in Houston, then moved to Cleveland for this season.

In order to make room for Tate on the roster, the Vikings waived University of Minnesota alum MarQueis Gray, who served some time at tight end and on special teams this season.