Tate scrambles to get his bearings as newest Viking

New Vikings running back Ben Tate arrived at Winter Park on Thursday morning and barely had a chance to shake hands or even get a nameplate on his locker before plunging into team activities.

"I just got here; I don't even know if I've been here for six hours yet," Tate said after practice when asked about his new teammates. "You're asking me questions I really can't answer."

Tate practiced for the first time since the Vikings claimed him off waivers Wednesday from the Browns, which came as a surprise to him. He'll have only three days to get acclimated to a new scheme before his first game in purple against the Packers on Sunday at TCF Bank Stadium.

"It was tough," said Tate, describing the past two days. "After being claimed, I've got a girl and a little boy so it's definitely tough trying to get situated with that. Just traveling, not much sleep and not much eating. I'm starving."

The 26-year-old might be relied on because of injuries to running backs Matt Asiata, who missed his second consecutive practice going through the league's concussion protocol, and Jerick McKinnon, who was limited because of a lower back injury.

Tate has never played in offensive coordinator Norv Turner's system, and Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said he's not sure if Tate will be active Sunday.

"He practiced some today," Zimmer said. "He got some reps and was in the blitz pickup. He was in everything, so we'll see how fast he gets. It was a quick day for him."

Tate said he understands the Vikings' current situation at running back, with Adrian Peterson suspended for at least the remainder of this season, but taking over as the lead back this year and possibly into next season isn't what he's worried about at the moment.

"I'm just focused on here and now, trying to learn this playbook, trying to do everything to the best of my ability, 100 percent," Tate said.

Trying to find the fun

Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson admits he's having a disappointing season and, frankly, it hasn't been much fun for him, either.

"I just need to focus in and just go out and play ball, man, just have fun, like last year," Patterson said.

Patterson has only 28 receptions for 332 yards and two touchdowns (one receiving, one rushing) in a larger role this season.

Those stats weren't exactly the figures Patterson expected through 10 games.

"They've been disappointing and I know I'm letting a lot of people down," Patterson said. "It's tough. It's very tough out here, man."

Etc.

• The Bills claimed former Vikings tight end and Gophers quarterback MarQueis Gray off waivers.

He played 10 games this season with the Vikings before he was waived to make room for Tate's acquisition.