Ben Tate Nothing More Than a Cheap Insurance Policy at RB for Vikings

With the likelihood of Adrian Peterson playing again in 2014 hovering near zero, the Minnesota Vikings decided Wednesday to pounce on a cheap insurance policy at the running back position. 

According to Field Yates of ESPN, the Vikings claimed 26-year-old back Ben Tate, who was waived by the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday.

A second-round pick of the Houston Texans back in 2010, Tate spent four injury-riddled years in Houston before signing a two-year deal with the Browns this past March. He lasted just eight games in Cleveland, where he averaged only 3.1 yards per carry and eventually lost playing time to rookies Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell. 

Tate flashed starting ability while with the Texans. In 2011, he rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and averaged 5.4 yards per carry. Yet Tate also missed the entire 2010 season, and he's yet to put together a full 16-game campaign in the NFL. 

Two events on Tuesday—the NFL's announcement of a year-long suspension for Peterson under the league's personal conduct policy and the Browns' decision to part ways with Tate—opened the door for the Vikings to make the move. 

Peterson played in just one game in 2014 before child abuse charges forced him off the field. Barring a successful appeal, Peterson won't play again this season—and it seems unlikely he'll play another down for the Vikings beyond 2014. 

Tate isn't in the same stratosphere as Peterson talent-wise, but he can help stem the tide for a running back position still finding its way without one of the most dominant runners of this generation. 

	Att	Yards	TD	Rec	Yards
J. McKinnon	98	484	0	24	126
M. Asiata	85	279	6	25	211
J. Banyard	0	0	0	2	11

Rookie Jerick McKinnon and fourth-year veteran Matt Asiata have since taken on featured roles in the Minnesota offense. While Asiata was Peterson's primary replacement early on, the highly athletic McKinnon has since emerged as Minnesota's go-to player—with 93 carries, 20 receptions and two 100-yard rushing games since Week 4. 

Asiata, meanwhile, has rushed for just 48 yards on 23 carries—for an average of just 2.1 yards per attempt—over the last five games. A plodding back who offers little in the open field, Asiata is best served in short-yardage and goal-line situations (six rushing touchdowns in 2014) and not in any kind of starring role. 

That's not the case for the rookie. 

A third-round pick in May's draft, McKinnon is a former college option quarterback who stands 5'9" and weighs only 208 pounds. He's not a typical featured NFL running back in terms of size, but he has flashed vision, toughness and break-tackle ability in the open field while learning a new position on the fly. He fits squarely in Minnesota's long-term plans at the position, even if the Vikings would prefer he be more a complementary player.

Norv Turner's offense has remained committed to a two-back punch, and Tate could be viewed as an obvious upgrade over Asiata in the early-down and short-yardage roles. 

Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

Another important factor to consider is the current health of both McKinnon and Asiata. 

Per the team's injury report, McKinnon missed Wednesday's practice with a lower back injury, while Asiata also sat out as he continues to go through the NFL's concussion protocol. The decision to claim Tate might be a sign that the Vikings are worried about one of the two—especially Asiata—missing Sunday's divisional matchup with the Green Bay Packers. 

Also, Tate could handle full-time responsibilities in a pinch if McKinnon were to suffer any significant injury between now and the end of the season. 

Most importantly, Tate won't cost the Vikings an arm and a leg. Per Andrew Brandt of ESPN, Minnesota will take on $1 million of Tate's 2014 salary and $2 million next season. If Tate can prove to be a more dangerous all-around player than Asiata, and it's almost certain he will, the $3 million will look like a decent investment over a two-year stretch. 

Tate isn't capable of replacing Peterson, but the Vikings don't need him to. Tate's availability simply lined up with Peterson's suspension, giving Minnesota a cheap, reliable insurance policy behind two running backs that are entering Week 12 a little banged up. 

Zach Kruse covers the NFC North for Bleacher Report. 

Follow @zachkruse2