Ben Tate Rumors: Latest Buzz and Speculation Surrounding Free Agent RB

Ben Tate was cut by the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday, and it's expected that multiple teams will be looking to claim the running back off waivers.

Continue for updates.

Wednesday, Nov. 19

Vikings Reportedly Claim Tate

ESPN's Field Yates reports that the Minnesota Vikings will be the next stop for Ben Tate:

Tuesday, Nov. 18

Tate Cut, Colts Reportedly Interested 

The Indianapolis Colts are reportedly looking into acquiring a second Cleveland Browns running back in as many seasons after the backs' tenures with the maligned franchise didn't work out.

Ben Tate was waived by Cleveland on Tuesday, per ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler. According to Bleacher Report insider Jason Cole, Indianapolis will be Tate's next destination if he reaches the Colts in the waiver order:

Cole also highlighted the minimal cost for any team to bring Tate aboard:

Highly touted Colts general manager Ryan Grigson swung a bold trade last season with the Browns to land 2012 No. 3 overall draft pick Trent Richardson. That was supposed to be Indy's solution to balancing the offense catalyzed by star quarterback Andrew Luck.

Richardson hasn't panned out, and the man ahead of him on the depth chart, Ahmad Bradshaw, went down in Week 11 with a fractured fibula. Thus, the move to obtain Tate makes a lot of sense on the Colts' end.

ESPN's Matthew Berry sensed the fit between Tate and Indianapolis even before Cole's report:

A knee injury slowed Tate after a promising Browns debut. In three appearances that featured Pro Bowl center Alex Mack, though, Tate ran for 243 yards and two touchdowns on 53 carries for an approximate average of 4.6 yards per pop.

When Mack went down with an injury of his own, Tate's production waned, as did his role in the Browns backfield thanks to the strong play of rookies Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell.

"With all the transactions we make while constructing our roster, it will always be our intent to do what is best for our football team," said Browns GM Ray Farmer of letting Tate go, via Fowler. "This move is no different, and we wish Ben the best going forward."

Around The NFL cited NFL Network's Ian Rapoport in noting that a number of other suitors could be in the market for Tate's services:

With only Richardson and Daniel "Boom" Herron looming as competition in Indianapolis, there is a real opportunity for Tate to plug in right away and contribute if he lands there. Other teams in need at running back should also examine the possibility of bringing Tate in.

Tate has not had a real chance to be a feature back, having played behind Arian Foster with the Houston Texans to start his career before a strange, short stay in Cleveland. If his early 2014 production with a healthy Browns offensive line is any indication, there's reason to believe Tate could help another team in a big way.