EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings had seen enough of running back Ben Tate.
With an unsettled running back situation with the unknown status of Adrian Peterson and a season-ending injury to rookie Jerick McKinnon, Minnesota waived Tate on Tuesday before the team's season-finale Sunday at home against the Chicago Bears.
The Vikings had claimed Tate, 26, in November from the Cleveland Browns. One of the bigger names at running back in free agency, Tate was released by Cleveland after eight games. The Browns signed the former Houston Texans rusher to a two-year, $7 million contract as a free agent.
Minnesota was without Peterson and had McKinnon and Matt Asiata dealing with injuries when claiming Tate. Tate was never able to find much of a role with the Vikings. He had 13 carries for 38 yards in three games, playing behind Asiata in a shared role with Joe Banyard.
Asiata has taken the bulk of the work the past four games with McKinnon out the rest of the season. McKinnon still leads the team in rushing with 538 yards this season. Asiata has a team-high 145 carries and is second with 479 yards rushing. He has added a punch near the goal-line with nine rushing touchdowns.
Banyard had five carries for 23 yards in Sunday's loss to Miami.
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