NFL Player News

Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner clarified the team's backfield situation Thursday, and it was good news for rookie Jerick McKinnon. Turner said the team claimed running back Ben Tate because of injuries at the position and that Tate was not brought in to take McKinnon's job.

"Obviously, we're in a situation where [Wednesday] we had one back that could practice, so the timing of [Tate] being released and the opportunity for us to add a back, certainly it was good timing," Turner told the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

"We're excited about Jerick and what he's done, and I see him as our running back," Turner added.

McKinnon did not practice Wednesday due to a back injury, but is expected to be fine for Sunday's game against the Packers. Running back Matt Asiata's status is in doubt after he suffered a concussion Week 11, Turner told the paper.

The injury to Ahmad Bradshaw that landed him on IR will result in fellow Colts running back Dan Herron receiving increase playing time.

"It's time for Herron to step up, which everybody on the team has full confidence in," teammate Reggie Wayne told the team website. "He's really played well. It shows on special teams. This is an opportunity for him to go out there and show his worth."

Herron has just 22 attempts on this season and is averaging 3.4 YPC.

Colts running back Trent Richardson is back at practice Thursday after missing the Wednesday session with an illness.

Richardson certainly didn't run like he was 100 percent in the Sunday loss to New England. He gained zero yards in six carries.

The Buccaneers rank 28th in rushing with 85.8 yards per game, and they mustered just 48 yards on 21 carries in the Week 11 loss at Washington. But quarterbacks coach Marcus Arroyo, who calls the offensive plays, said the team won't abandon the run.

"We're going to continue to try to do it," he told ESPN.com. "The passes and rushes were pretty balanced in the [Washington] game. There might not be 5-, 8- or 10-yard rushes in there, but there were some plays in there where it could have been. There were a couple of times where it gets close and we trip over our own guy. It's getting there."

Running back Doug Martin could return this week from his ankle injury, joining Charles Sims and Bobby Rainey in the backfield. Tampa Bay visits Chicago on Sunday.

Latavius Murray led Raiders running backs in snaps last week at San Diego, and he's expected to at least split time with Darren McFadden on Thursday against the Chiefs, reports ESPN's Adam Caplan. Murray got more work than normal in practice this week, according to Kaplan.

Murray ran four times for 43 yards and caught three passes for 16 yards against the Chargers. He played 27 snaps, while McFadden played 22 and Maurice Jones-Drew played 10.

Vikings running backs Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon did not practice on Wednesday.

Asiata is dealing with a concussion. McKinnon has a back injury. The team also claimed Ben Tate off waivers Wednesday, which could signal the team is concerned about the current injuries to Asiata and McKinnon. The status of both players will be determined based on how much work they can put in over the next two days. 

The Vikings have claimed deposed Browns featured back Ben Tate off waivers in the wake of the suspension that has sidelined Adrian Peterson for the rest of the season, according to multiple reports.

Tate proved disappointing after signing a free agent contract with Cleveland. He expressed dissatisfaction after losing playing time to rookies Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell. He had just two carries for minus-9 yards in the Sunday loss to Houston, which led to the Browns placing him on waivers.

Another rookie now stands in his way of significant reps. It remains to be seen how much Tate plays with Minnesota, which has been featuring Jerick McKinnon in the backfield. McKinnon is averaging 4.9 YPC this season. Tate has just 90 yards in his last 53 carries for a 1.7 YPC average during that stretch.

A nagging foot issue that has kept Cardinals running back Andre Ellington out of Wednesday practices this season will not do the same this time around per ESPN. He is set for limited work Wednesday as the team prepares for its Week 12 game at Seattle.

Ellington has struggled recently after a strong run. He has just 65 yards rushing in 37 carries over the last two weeks for a 1.7 YPC average.

Colts running back Trent Richardson, who's staring at a heavy workload with Ahmad Bradshaw sidelined, did not practice Wednesday due to an illness, reports The Herald Bulletin. Indy hosts the Jaguars on Sunday.

The Vikings' Cordarrelle Patterson has disappointed as both a receiver and kick returner, reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Patterson has 28 catches for 332 yards and a touchdown in what was supposed to be his breakout season.

He ranks 10th among 18 qualifying kickoff returners with an average of 24.4 yards. Last year he led the NFL by averaging 32.4 yards per return and scoring two touchdowns. His longest return this season is 49 yards.