National Football League

Former Browns' running back Tate reportedly claimed by Vikings

Published Nov. 19, 2014 5:21 p.m. ET

Spencer Davies

It didn't take Ben Tate long to find a new home.

Tate essentially lost his job thanks to the emergence of Cleveland Browns rookies Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West. On Tuesday morning, the team announced his release.

Late Wednesday afternoon, ESPN's Field Yates and NFL Network's Ian Rappaport tweeted that the former disgruntled Browns' tailback was claimed by the Vikings before he could become a free agent.

The #Vikings have claimed Ben Tate, source says, after learning Adrian Peterson won’t play for them this year, pending appeal
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 19, 2014

With Adrian Peterson suspended without pay for the rest of the season, the Vikings went ahead and made a move to help out their own running back situation. Before Wednesday's addition of Tate, Minnesota had been going with rookies Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon in their backfield. They have now added another back to that mix, and you can bet he will be hungry for carries.

The Vikings waived former Gopher alum and Browns' tight end MarQueis Gray to make room for Tate.

Tate played in eight games for the Browns, rushing for 333 yards on 106 attempts. He got in the endzone four times for Cleveland.