Colts Place Unsuccessful Claim on Ben Tate

According to ESPN’s NFL Reporter Field Yates, the Indianapolis Colts were 1 of 3 teams to place a claim on recently released Cleveland Browns’ running back Ben Tate. Unfortunately for the Colts (6-4), a team with a worse record, the Minnesota Vikings (4-6), was awarded Tate off the waiver wire by rule. The other claiming team was the Arizona Cardinals, who have the best record in the NFL at 9-1. If not for the Vikings, Tate would reportedly be an Indianapolis Colt by all indications.

Aug 28, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Zurlon Tipton (37) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

It comfirms an earlier report that the Colts were genuinely interested in Ben Tate, and also means that the team was looking at outside help to improve its running back situation after Ahmad Bradshaw broke his ankle and was placed on season-ending injured reserve earlier this week.

With LeGarrette Blount re-signing with the New England Patriots on a 2-year deal today, the Colts are running out of proven, veteran options on the free agent running back market. It likely means that undrafted rookie running back Zurlon Tipton will be activated from the practice squad, who already has a great familiarity with the playbook and offense, having also spent time with the team in preseason.