Ben Tate was claimed off waivers by the Vikings on Wednesday. Tate was cut on Tuesday by the Browns after signing a two-year deal with Cleveland in the offseason. On the surface, the Tate signing makes sense for the Vikings. They just “lost” Adrian Peterson for the rest of the season to suspension, and Matt Asiata is averaging a paltry 3.3 yards per carry this season and an even worse 2.08 over the last five games.
The problem is Tate has not been stellar of late either, plodding his way to an Asiata-like 2.15 YPC over the last six games. It is unlikely he is any worse than Asiata, but the real problem will come if Tate begins to eat into exciting rookie Jerick McKinnon’s workload. The Vikings are not going anywhere this season, so it would be a huge mistake to stunt McKinnon’s development simply to get Tate on the field.
With Asiata questionable for Week 12 with a concussion, Tate could and should fill in as the complementary passing-down and power back to McKinnon, but we are unlikely to know how the snaps in Minnesota’s backfield will shake out until the players hit the field on Sunday. Even in a reasonable matchup against the Packers, the uncertainty makes the Vikings’ backfield a situation to avoid.
Editor’s Note: Rotoworld’s partner FanDuel is hosting a one-week $2.5 Million Fantasy Football league for Week 12’s games. It’s only $25 to join and first prize is $300,000. Starts Sunday, November 23rd at 1pm ET. Here’s the link.
In Other News…
Giovani Bernard (hip) practiced on a limited basis on Wednesday. It was his first practice since injuring his hip Week 8 against the Ravens. Bernard is fully expected to play this week against the Texans, though his role is still unclear. Bengals.com’s Geoff Hobson expects Jeremy Hill to handle “the bulk of the carries” at least until Bernard gets healthy, but Hill handling the majority of the workload may simply become the status quo. Hill has played well with Bernard sidelined and has been the best between-the-tackles runner this season. The Bengals would be best served returning Bernard to the complementary role he played in 2013, with Hill serving in the BenJarvus Green-Ellis role.
Josh Gordon told ex-Browns WR Nate Burleson he plans to “tear this league up” when he returns from his 10-game suspension. Gordon practiced with his teammates for the first time this season on Wednesday, and observers said he looked sharp running routes and in good shape. Gordon will likely draw Falcons CB Desmond Trufant in coverage this week, but he is a must-start WR1 despite the difficult matchup.
Emmanuel Sanders (concussion) and Julius Thomas (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. Thomas stretched with the team before practice, and he is walking around out of a boot and without a limp. Sanders attended the practice in sweats. Each player’s status for Week 12 is still up in the air.
Latavius Murray led the Raiders’ backs in snaps Week 11 and has seen more reps than usual at practice leading up to Thursday night’s game against the Chiefs. ESPN’s Adam Caplan expects Murray to “at the very least” split time with Darren McFadden against Kansas City. This is a long overdue move for the 0-10 Raiders. Murray is worth a roster spot and could run away with the starting job in Oakland.
ESPN Saints reporter Mike Triplett expects Marques Colston to be the biggest beneficiary from Brandin Cook’s season-ending thumb injury. Colston should see the bulk of Cooks’ seven targets a game, but that does not mean he will do anything with them. Colston has struggled with drops this season, catching just 57.6 percent of his passes a season after hauling in 68.2 percent, and has six red-zone targets through nine games. He can become a WR3, but his days as a borderline WR1 are finished.
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News and Notes
Arian Foster (groin) was limited in practice on Wednesday. Coach Bill O’Brien is still calling Foster “day-to-day,” but even a limited session on Wednesday is promising for his Week 12 status. … Rashad Jennings (knee) has been removed from the Giants’ injury report. He is an RB1 against the Cowboys. … Jordan Cameron is still in concussion protocol. He did not practice Wednesday, and his Week 12 availability does not look promising. … Doug Martin (ankle) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. He should return Week 12, but his role is still unclear. … Larry Fitzgerald (knee) did not practice Wednesday. He hopes to play through a Grade 2 MCL Sprain, but he will not be a recommended play against Seattle either way. … Delanie Walker (concussion) practiced in a limited basis on Wednesday and hopes to be cleared by an independent neurologist Thursday. … Anthony Fasano (knee) is questionable for Thursday nights’ game against the Raiders. He should play, pushing Travis Kelce back into a part-time role. … LeGarrette Blount went unclaimed on waivers. … Colts CB Greg Toler is in the league’s concussion protocol. … Browns OLB Jabaal Sheard does not need season-ending foot surgery and should be back “in a week or so.” … Raiders LG Gabe Jackson will not play against the Chiefs Thursday night. … Falcons SS William Moore (shoulder, I.R./recall) said he will return for Week 13 against Arizona. … Saints signed WR Jalen Saunders from Seattle’s practice squad and waived RB Brain Leonard.
Injury Quick Slants
Calvin Johnson (elbow, ankle), Marshawn Lynch (back), Tony Romo (back), Alshon Jeffery (hamstring), Brandon Marshall (ankle), Ronnie Hillman (foot), Montee Ball (groin), Joique Bell (ankle), Dwayne Allen (ankle), Jordan Reed (hamstring), Greg Jennings (ribs), Harry Douglas (foot) and Jared Cook (back) did not practice on Wednesday.
Andre Ellington (foot), Reggie Bush (ankle), Mike Wallace (calf), Julian Edelman (thigh), Fred Jackson (groin), Justin Hunter (knee), Ryan Tannehill (shoulder), Kyle Orton (toe), Jarvis Landry (shoulder), Charles Clay (knee) and James Carpenter (ankle) were limited in practice on Wednesday.
Lamar Miller (shoulder), Kyle Rudolph (groin), Brandon Pettigrew (foot) and Chris Hogan (hip) were full participants in practice on Wednesday.
