Ford was signed by the Ravens on Tuesday.

The Ravens must hold Ford in high regard, as tight end is one of the few positions on the roster that appears to be in good shape. Ford still doesn't figure to have much of a role in the offense.



(cbssports.com)

On Wednesday the Vikings announced that the club has activated CB Josh Robinson from the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list. Robinson will take the place of TE Chase Ford, who was waived, on the 53-man roster.

Robinson started practicing with the team three weeks ago after suffering a pectoral injury during the club's offseason program.

The fourth-year cornerback had 40 tackles and three interceptions a season ago.

He has played 42 regular season games, including 21 starts, since he was selected in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Robinson has 160 tackles, five interceptions, 28 passes defensed, 5.0 tackles for loss and 12 tackles on special teams.

Ford has 34 career receptions for 391 yards (20 catches for 258 yards) and a touchdown in 20 career games played.


(vikings.com)

Chase Ford had more receiving yards than any Vikings tight end last season, but he's now in jeopardy of not making the team.

Ford, who caught 23 passes for 258 yards in 2014, could be the odd man out in a crowded position group. Starter Kyle Rudolph, blocking specialist Rhett Ellison and rookie MyCole Pruitt all figure to survive the final cut.

Ford has 34 catches for 391 yards the past two seasons with the Vikings. He had some strong outings last season when Rudolph missed seven games because of injury.

Ford at least didn't hurt himself in Saturday's 20-12 preseason victory over Oakland, catching five passes for 19 yards. He had a four-yard touchdown reception in the middle of the end zone, hanging onto the ball after being hit very hard.

"Any opportunity you have a chance to catch the ball, you need to catch it," Ford said. "You don't want to miss the ball. That's how you get cut."

NFL teams must cut down from 90 to 75 by Sept. 1, then to the regular-season limit of 53 by Sept. 5. Coach Mike Zimmer didn't want to speculate Monday on Ford's chances or on whether the Vikings could keep four tight ends.

But Zimmer did speak well of Ford's Saturday performance.

"Chase does a really good job in the passing game," Zimmer said. "He catches the ball well, he runs good routes and he's got to continue to maintain consistency."

Minnesota's three tight ends last year were Rudolph, Ellison and Ford. Pruitt, a fifth-round pick from Southern Illinois, now is a cinch to make the team.

Pruitt missed Saturday's game because of a sprained left ankle and sat out practice on Monday, but Zimmer said he is doing better.

"He's got the body to be a blocker. He's willing," Zimmer said or Pruitt. "I think he's going to continue to get better. Right now, I wouldn't say he's a killer blocker, but I think he'll be better than adequate when it's all said and done."

Ford acknowledges Pruitt's presence has put him in a battle to make the team. If Ford gets cut, he thinks he's at least done enough in his three NFL seasons to get another shot.

"That's up to the other (general managers) and coaches and stuff, but I feel like somebody will try to chance on me," he said.


(twincities.com)

Minnesota Vikings tight end Chase Ford did an admirable job filling in for the injured Kyle Rudolph in 2014.

He joined the team as an undrafted free agent and punched above his weight class on the year, but now things have changed. Rudolph is healthy, he's already competing with Rhett Ellison and the Vikings spent a fifth-round pick on tight end MyCole Pruitt.

The position is crowded, but that just might mean competition will bring the best out in the players competing for snaps. Ford appears to have a bit of a head start in the "wow factor" category at the first OTA sessions of the year.

10s across the board for Chase Ford's behind-the-back catch.

A video posted by Minnesota Vikings (@minnesotavikings) on May 27, 2015 at 7:39am PDT

Ford finished his rookie season with Minnesota with 23 catches on 35 targets for 258 yards and a touchdown. He'll have a chance to compete for the No. 2 tight end spot with Pruitt and Ellison, likely behind Rudolph.

Former Corrigan-Camden Bulldog and Minnesota Viking Chase Ford had foot surgery Friday.

Ford broke the fifth metatarsal in his left foot. However, this is not the first time the tight end has broken his foot this football season.

Ford was out during the preseason with a break in that same foot, but did make a comeback. He said he's confident he'll be able to come back stronger from this surgery.

“That's my plan. That's my intentions,” said Ford. “I feel like if I can play all year on good feet, it could be a better season for me this year and God willing, He blesses me with that.”

Last season was Ford's second year in the league. He recorded his first NFL career touchdown against the Washington Redskins in Week 9, and tallied 258 yards on the year.

Ford said once he's out of his walking boot from this surgery, he'll be going back up to Minnesota to start his rehab and get ready for the next season.


(ktre.com)

Vikings TE Chase Ford caught 1-of-2 targets for 22 yards in Sunday's Week 16 loss to the Dolphins.

Starting in place of injured Kyle Rudolph, Ford shared tight end duties with blocker Rhett Ellison, who finished with 47 yards on two receptions. Rudolph seems unlikely to be ready for the Vikings' season finale against the Bears.


(cbssports.com)

Teddy Bridgewater headlines the Vikings' homecoming crew, but that does not necessarily make the quarterback more popular in Miami than cornerback Xavier Rhodes or tight end Chase Ford.

Rhodes, a Miamian, and Ford, a former Hurricane, have been deluged with ticket requests for Sunday's Dolphins-Vikings game at Sun Life Stadium.

Minnesota (6-8) is out of playoff contention, and the Dolphins (7-7) have all but been eliminated. But the game holds plenty of meaning for Ford.

"It's good to go back and play in Miami," he said Wednesday. "Being in Miami, I rooted for the Dolphins while I was there. It'll be good to get back down there and see some old teammates.

"I will say this: I'm looking forward to the sun and the warmer weather.

It'll be a nice change-up."

Ford has secured a reserve tight end job in Minnesota after bouncing among three NFL practice squads. He played two seasons at the University of Miami after two years of junior college in his native Texas.

He made seven starts among 21 games for the Hurricanes and played in the 2011 Sun Bowl. However, the Hurricanes struggled, compiling a 13-12 record during Ford's stay, which included the firing of coach Randy Shannon.

"It was a good experience," he said. "I just wish we would have come out with more wins and did better for Shan while we were there. It was fun while I was there, though, I will say that."

Rhodes went to Miami's Norland High School and was a star running back and wide receiver before playing at Florida State.

"Ticket requests? Too many," he said. "Everybody can't get one. I can give you a crazy number, but I'm not going to give them that many."

Rhodes thrived Sunday in his one-on-one matchup against Detroit's uber-physical receiver Calvin Johnson, who had only four receptions for 53 yards.

Now comes speedy Dolphins receiver Mike Wallace, who is 70 receiving yards shy of 1,000 in his debut season at Miami. His 73 catches are the third-most by any first-year Dolphin.

"You've just got to stay in front of him the whole time," Rhodes said. "You can't let him get on top of you. He's a guy that can blow the top off a defense. Just keep him close to you."

Close like Calvin?

"That I really don't know," said Rhodes, revealing nothing. "Coaches ain't said nothing to me about that."


(twincities.com)

Vikings tight end Chase Ford said on Monday that rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater likely wouldn’t have thrown the a late fourth quarter interception against the Bears if he knew how much time was on the clock.

On the final Vikings possession, they dealt with a clock malfunction that occurred throughout the game as Soldier Field. The game clocks in the north and south end zones went dark with the Vikings trailing by eight points in the two-minute situation during the 21-13 loss.

“You definitely need the clock,” Ford said. “I’m sure if it was the other way, if the shoe was on the other foot, that clock would’ve been fixed. They would’ve found a way to fix the clock.”

Ford, who was on the field for the entire drive over tight end Kyle Rudolph, noted how the Bridgewater completed three passes over the middle following the two-minute warning and had no clue how much time remained in the game with the clock running. Following those completions, Bridgewater was picked off by safety Ryan Mundy with the Vikings facing a 2nd and 3 at the Bears’ 29.

“If the clock was working, and Teddy knew how much time there was, I don’t think he takes that chance on that play,” Ford said. “Maybe the next one or something, but on that play I don’t think he takes that chance.”

The interception occurred with 42 seconds left in the game, which Ford mentioned, “I still don’t know how much time was left when that picked was thrown.” Still, even with the clock issues and Bridgewater’s interception, Ford wasn’t using it as an excuse for the team’s sixth loss this season.

The Vikings offense had just 254 total yards on just 47 snaps. The offense was ineffective all game, scoring its only touchdown after a well-designed fake punt stopped seven yards short of the end zone.

“Either way, we came up short with the loss,” Ford said. “It shouldn’t have came down to that. We could’ve played better on the offensive side of the ball.”


(startribune.com)

Chase Ford is among the most inconspicuous Vikings in a locker room full of high-pitched chirpers and alpha male receivers.

The unheralded tight end from rural Texas peppers interviews with "Yes sir/no sirs" in a drawl so distinctive one can practically smell the mesquite.

Ford has emerged from the shadows to become a reliable playmaker for the Vikings, who were in the dark after former Pro Bowl tight end Kyle Rudolph was lost Week 3 to a sports hernia that required surgery.

He caught his first NFL touchdown pass late in the first half Sunday to ignite the Vikings' stagnant offense in their 29-26 victory over Washington at TCF Bank Stadium.

Ford caught five passes for 66 yards, giving him 11 receptions for 127 yards in Minnesota's two straight wins.

"It means a lot to me," he said. "All I really want to do is win, and me being a contributor to that is even better."

Captain Munnerlyn's interception with 59 seconds remaining in the second quarter set up the Vikings at midfield, trailing 10-0.

Four plays later, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater locked in on Ford, who had several steps on safety Ryan Clark and hauled in the 20-yard strike in the back of the end zone.

"It felt really awesome," he said. "I didn't really think it was going to be that easy, but I'll take it."

His biggest catch came on Minnesota's final scoring drive midway through the fourth quarter. Trailing 26-21, Bridgewater spotted a sliver of turf between Ford and safety Brandon Meriwether down the left sideline and fired a 21-yard bullet.

Ford pulled up to catch the pass in his midsection and deftly kept both feet in bounds to move the Vikings to the Washington 15. Matt Asiata eventually punched in the winning touchdown.

"I was so happy for him to finally see him get in the end zone and score a touchdown," said Rudolph. "The play up the sideline, the big third-down catch (earlier), numerous plays for us to go out and win the football game."

A week ago at Tampa Bay, Ford made a critical 19-yard catch in the final minute to set up Blair Walsh's 38-yard field goal that forced overtime.

"Chase is going to be a household name around here," Bridgewater said. "Chase is a guy who has been making plays for us ever since OTAs. He's a very explosive player."

He debuted with the Vikings in Week 9 last year, memorably carrying Adrian Peterson across the goal line for a touchdown at Dallas.

The undrafted prospect out of Miami and former junior college transfer had bounced around practice squads for the Eagles and Cowboys. He did enough down the stretch last year for Minnesota to retain him for 2014.

However, Ford suffered a broken foot before training camp, an injury that set him back so far he spent the first three weeks on the practice squad before Rudolph's injury created an opportunity.

"I never gave up faith," he said. "I knew God had a plan for me and I just went in there, even when I was in the weight room, just tried to go as hard as I can and when I got the opportunity tried to make the most of it."

Ford, who stands 6 feet 6 and weighs 255 pounds, grew up in tiny Corrigan, Texas, 100 miles northeast of Houston. He once described the town of 1,500 to a Miami Herald reporter as "real country, no big buildings. We've got a Sonic and a couple local Mexican restaurants."

Easy come, easy go.

"The way I come in every game, I want to win every route against the DB that I can, and if Teddy wants to throw to me he can," Ford said. "If not, oh well, as long as we win."


(twincities.com)

Vikings tight end Chase Ford set career highs with six catches for 61 yards in the overtime win at Tampa Bay. The second-year pro caught each of his targets and ranked second on the team in receiving behind Cordarrelle Patterson.

Ford, who entered Week 8 with eight catches this season, plays the Redskins in Week 9.


(cbssports.com)

Vikings tight end Chase Ford has eight catches for 85 yards in the past three games since being elevated from the practice squad to the active roster to fill in for injured TE Kyle Rudolph. After stops in Philadelphia and a brief stint in Dallas, the native of Corrigan, Texas, a town of less than 2,000 people northeast of Houston, Ford caught on with Minnesota for the final two games of 2013. Vikings.com took a Timeout with Ford for a Q & A this week.

Q: What did you like or not like about growing up in a small town?
Ford: I pretty much loved everything about it. I guess you could say the only downfall to it is you can’t just, you’ve got to drive to go to Walmart or the mall. That’s kind of the only down thing.

Q: Better not forget something on your grocery list then?
Ford: We’ve got a local grocery store, but if you’re trying to go get a TV or some shoes or something you’ve got to drive about 25-30 minutes. It’s not too far, but it’s not just hop in the car and “Let’s go.”

Q: Describe the transition you made from junior college to Miami and then the NFL.
Ford: To me, the way I’ve always explained it when people ask me, I feel like that way it was good for me because the game, it was like your talent level rose with how you were playing. It’s not like an 18-year-old going to Tennessee or Miami or something like that, because it would take them by storm, like ‘This game is too fast.’ It was like a ladder that got me up here, a little bit better, a little bit better and then the top level.

Q: What did you learn from spending time with three NFL teams as a rookie?
I learned it don’t feel good to get cut (laughs). Do everything you can to not get cut.

Q: Did you learn something to take with you to your next team?
Ford: I learned a lot. In Philly, Tom Melvin, he’s the tight ends coach at Kansas City now, but he taught me a lot. There was stuff I didn’t know, little things with your route running and blocking that helped me out a lot. I was only in Dallas for a week, so I’m not going to say I learned anything there, but I’ve learned a whole lot from last year’s staff and this year’s staff here.

Q: How have those experiences helped you adjust to the new offensive system here?
Ford: You’ve just got to be prepared for anything. Coming from high school to junior college to college, I haven’t had the same playbook for more than two years since I’ve been playing football. Having the same playbook for years to come would be real nice.

Q: How much time do you spend in your playbook?
Ford: I’m going to start spending more time because that was something that I never really was taught, so it’s something I’m learning as I go, that it helps you to watch extra film and helps you to study your plays a little more. You might know it, but if you look over it one more time, you might not mess up.

Q: Would you rather block, catch the ball or run after the catch?
Ford: You know what? If I had to pick one, I’d probably say catch the ball. That’s really the reason I play football, because I like catching the football.

Q: How much emphasis do you place on catching the ball?
Ford: I’ve never been one of those guys that caught 100 jugs after practice every day. It was just a natural gift God gave me, where I can catch the ball. I’m thankful for that.

Q: What about the other parts besides the catch, the route running and things like that? How much of that did you have to learn more of at this level?
Ford: I had to learn all of it, pretty much. I didn’t even really know how to run routes until I got into the league. That was something that Tom helped me with in Philadelphia. You would see it on paper and draw it up on paper, but you wouldn’t know stuff like when you’re running this inside route, this dig route, you’re falling up field and you’re not supposed to do that, little things like that help you out a whole lot in any league but especially this one because they’re so fast and so good on their reads that the little things count, and I’ve picked all that up since I’ve been in the league.

Q: There’s a lot of Texas guys, lot of Florida guys, lot of California guys in the locker room. Do the Texas guys kind of hang together a little more or have a state pride thing?
Ford: No, everything’s better in Texas, don’t get me wrong. Our team ain’t like that. I feel like everybody’s cool with everybody, and I feel like the way we hang out would be less state-wise and more position-wise. I’m probably cooler with my tight ends than I would be with the defensive backs — nothing against them, they’re my boys too, but you spend more time with your position group.

Q: Do you have any pre-game habits or rituals?
Ford: Not really. I like to listen to a little, I don’t want to call it Gospel music because Gospel music puts out a different term, but a Christian music like Kirk Franklin cause it’s more upbeat but is still sending the same message, so I try to listen to that before the game to clear my mind.

Q: How long has your faith been important to you?
Ford: Coming from the South, they call it the Bible belt, so I’ve kind of always been brought up in it and it was really important to me when I was younger, but it’s something that I went through my teenage years living my life or whatever, but it’s something I’m trying to get back on like I was when I was younger.

Q: What goals do you have for the rest of the season?
Ford: Win. That’s the number one goal. I want to do whatever it takes to win. It doesn’t matter if I don’t have a catch and the receivers have 30 catches.

(vikings.com)

Vikings TE Chase Ford caught four passes for 37 yards in Minnesota's Week 6 loss to Detroit.

Ford finished second on the team in receiving behind Jerick McKinnon on a day where Teddy Bridgewater absorbed eight sacks and threw three interceptions, failing to engineer a scoring drive until fourth-quarter garbage time. Ford is the Vikings' pass-catching tight end with Kyle Rudolph on the shelf.


(rotoworld.com)

Vikings tight end Chase Ford produced little Week 5 against the Packers.

Ford hauled in three passes for 31 yards during the contest. He was targeted just four times. Ford is attempting to replace Kyle Rudolph, who has missed the past few games following surgery. While his 31 yards was tied for second on the club Thursday, Ford didn't play a big role in the offense.

Ford will take on the Lions Week 6.

(cbssports.com)

The depth chart indicates that Rhett Ellison will step into the starting lineup in the absence of Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph, who has undergone surgery to repair a sports hernia.

But Ellison isn’t expected to be the guy who benefits from the extra attention in Norv Turner’s tight-end friendly attack.  The guy who stands to rack up the targets and the catches while Rudolph is out is Chase Ford.

Ford, added to the active roster on Wednesday, played college football at Miami, and he stands six feet, six inches tall and weighs 255 pounds.  The Vikings surely hope Ford has even more in common with Jimmy Graham than height, weight, and a link to the “U”.

He appeared in nine games for the Vikings last year, catching 11 passes for 133 yards.


(profootballtalk.com)

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Minnesota Vikings announced Wednesday morning that quarterback Matt Cassel and offensive lineman Brandon Fusco have been placed on injured reserve, ending their seasons.

Cassel was hurt scrambling during the first half of the Vikings’ 20-9 loss to the Saints on Sunday. He suffered broken bones in his foot. It means rookie Teddy Bridgewater, barring injury, will be the team’s quarterback the rest of the season.

The Vikings also activated tight end Chase Ford and offensive lineman Austin Wentworth from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Ford will take the place of Kyle Rudolph, who will miss extended time with an abdominal injury.

The Vikings filled the two practice squad openings by signing quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson and tight end Ryan Otten.


(minnesota.cbslocal.com)

It was one of the busiest NFL proCane roster cut weekends of all-time. See below all the action.

WR LaRon Byrd was cut by the Dallas Cowboys who signed him this offseason, but was quickly picked up by the Cleveland Browns and placed on their active roster.

DB Brandon Harris was cut by the Texans, who drafted him out of Miami 3 years ago, but was also quickly picked up and added to the Titans active roster.

Practice Squad Signings: Stephen Morris: Jags, Tommy Streeter: Dolphins, Chase Ford: Vikings, Erik Swoope: Colts, Brandon Washington: Rams, Harland Gunn: Falcons, Micanor Regis: Panthers, Asante Cleveland: 49ers.

Cuts: Maurice Hagens: Falcons, Eric Winston: Seahawks, Richard Gordon: Chiefs, Tyler Horn: Titans, Jared Wheeler: Bills.

Anxiety was thick Monday morning in the Vikings locker room, even among the survivors of the preseason's first roster cuts.

Tight end Chase Ford was activated from the physically unable to perform list and cleared to resume practicing after being sidelined with a broken left foot. Even he was skittish to talk about the good news.

"It feels good to be back. That's about all I can say," Ford said sheepishly.

Strong safety Jamarca Sanford is battling to retain his starting job, and incessant injuries that have marginalized the six-year veteran at the worst possible time.

Groin and back injuries limited him early in training camp, and Sanford missed his second preseason game Saturday at Kansas City, this time because of a quadriceps issue.


(twincities.com)

MANKATO, Minn. -- Vikings tight end Chase Ford is on course to be removed from the physically unable to perform list by the start of the regular season.

"I feel like I see light at the end of the tunnel," he said this week.

A broken left foot has sidelined Ford since the start of training camp. He learned it was fractured after participating in OTAs.

Ford, who caught 11 passes for 133 yards late last season, was a pleasant surprise for the Vikings, whose depth at tight end is in flux.

The team this week signed six-year veteran Kory Sperry, a former Arizona Cardinal, to replace AC Leonard, who was released before playing a game for Minnesota.

Ford was expected to compete with veterans Allen Reisner and Rhett Ellison behind 2012 Pro Bowler Kyle Rudolph. Mike Higgins, another free agent, also is in the mix.

"I'm always in my playbook and listening to the plays called, running it through my mind," Ford said. "I try to visualize it before they even run it."


(twincities.com)

The Minnesota Vikings have placed cornerback Captain Munnerlyn, safety Andrew Sendejo and tight end Chase Ford on the physically unable to perform list to start training camp.

The other player held out of the first full practice on Friday was wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, who watched wearing a bucket-shaped fishing hat because of a minor foot injury. The team announced his status as day to day.

Ford has been in a cast with a broken left foot and will be out indefinitely. Munnerlyn has a minor hamstring injury. Sendejo is dealing with nagging lower-back and ankle problems. Players on the PUP list during the preseason can be taken off at any time, and they count against the 90-man roster. They can’t practice until they’re medically cleared.


(washingtonpost.com)

Vikings TE Chase Ford is recovering from left-foot surgery, and will miss all of training camp.

Ford had a stress fracture. It's bad news for a bubble player, though Ford will likely spend the first six weeks of the season on the reserve/PUP list, delaying his roster decision. A 2012 undrafted free agent, Ford has 11 career catches, five of which came last Week 17.


(rotoworld.com)

Adrian Peterson gets the football a lot. He gets the football a lot because he's the best in the world at what he does. Seriously, until he decides otherwise, the running back hierarchy in the National Football League is Adrian Peterson. . .huge gap. . .everybody else.

But sometimes, even AD needs a little bit of help to get by, and he got a significant boost from an unlikely source in the Minnesota Vikings' game against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9.

Check out the GIF below to see proCane TE Chase Ford #86 give the extra boost Peterson was looking for to get into the end zone.




(dailynorseman.com)

Vikings TE Chase Ford caught five passes for 43 yards in Minnesota's Week 17 win over the Lions.
Ford only played extensively because Kyle Rudolph and John Carlson were both on the shelf. A 2012 undrafted free agent out of Miami, Ford is under contract for $495K in 2014, and will return to compete for a roster spot.


(rotoworld.com)

Vikings tight end Chase Ford grew up in a small southeast Texas town. His favorite Christmas present shouldn’t come as a surprise.

The Corrigan native received a .410 shotgun when he was 6 years old. Ford spent the day shooting cans. Later in his life, he downed his first deer with that gun.

“Brings back memories,” Ford said with a chuckle.

He rarely finds enough time to enjoy one of his favorite hobbies lately, which has actually been a good thing. Ford bounced around on three practice squads before making his first appearance on an active roster this season, and he is hoping Sunday’s season finale against the Lions won’t be his last.

Ford hasn’t started, but he has appeared in eight games, making six receptions for 90 yards. With Rhett Ellison injured in Week 8, Ford was signed to the active roster and activated against the Packers. He didn’t play, got cut and was signed back to the practice squad.

An eventful first taste of an NFL Sunday in pads.

“They always say you got to be prepared to leave when you come into this game,” Ford said. “That’s just the mindset I hold.”

Ellison was scratched again, so Ford was brought back up the next week. This time he would get a chance to play against his favorite childhood team, the Cowboys. He spent a week on Dallas’ practice squad after he was dropped from the Eagles’ practice squad.

The Vikings trailed Dallas 20-17 with less than six minutes in the fourth when Adrian Peterson scored a go-ahead touchdown on an 11-yard run. He had four defenders surrounding him after picking up a first down on fourth and inches and nearly stumbled short of the goal line, but Ford kept Peterson on his feet and pushed him in.

“I blocked my guy but he kind of got off,” said Ford, who was initially brought in as a pass-receiving tight end but has improved his blocking during the season. “I was running to try and make sure he didn’t make the play and it fell in my lap, literally.”

Two of Ford’s six catches came two weeks ago in a victory over the Eagles, with one changing the outcome of the game — a 37-yard connection from Matt Cassel on third-and-14 early in the fourth quarter after the Eagles had pulled to within 27-22.

“Just to think, we came out of training camp and we weren’t even sure that he would make our football team and ends up on the practice squad,” Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said. “… He is a hard-working guy and he has come up with some big plays for us. Evidenced by the third-and-14 we had [against the Eagles], Hard work does pay off.”

He made his previous catch on the team’s first drive and said he felt before the play he was ready to grab another pass and move the sticks. Ford eluded a tackle and stiff-armed a defender before he was wrestled 5 yards short of his first career touchdown.

“I got to finish that, right?” Ford said. “I came pretty close to scoring. But we scored a touchdown. If we didn’t score a touchdown my feelings probably would’ve been hurt.”

On Sunday, Ford will have one final chance this season to grab his first career touchdown pass. The franchise will say goodbye to the Metrodome, in one of three games Sunday without any playoff implications. But for Ford, who is signed through 2014, he is not sure what will happen to him in the offseason.

The Vikings have three tight ends, with Kyle Rudolph (foot) and John Carlson (concussion) on injured reserve, along with Ellison. Carlson’s health concerns could open up a roster spot for Ford, but he is content with whatever outcome occurs.

“If Minnesota feels that they’re good with the three tight ends they’ve got now and say they don’t want to keep me on the active roster, that’s fine because I’ve got tape for other teams to see that so other teams can pick me up,” Ford said.

Ford plans to make a trip back home in the offseason to pick up his hobby again. While he chases ducks and deer with his father and uncle, Ford hopes he won’t have to hunt for a job in the spring. He is prepared to return for organized team activities and build off the work he has put in just to make the active roster.

“You grow up playing football in the back yard and being from a small Texas town, you don’t make it out of there,” Ford said. “You’re living out your childhood dream. It really motivates you to not give up, and play hard every game.


(startribune.com)

On Dec. 26, 2012, it made little news when the Vikings signed tight end Chase Ford to the practice squad.

Almost a year later, it looks like a smart move.

Ford was elevated to the 53-man roster for good in early November. Lately, with injuries to tight ends Kyle Rudolph and John Carlson, he has made an impact.

The second-year man from the University of Miami has all of his six career catches for 90 yards in the second half of the season. That includes two catches for 55 yards in last Sunday's 48-30 win over Philadelphia.

"Just think, we came out of training camp not even sure that he would make our football team, and he ends up on the practice squad,'' Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said. "And now he's making big contributions to our team. ... Boy, I'm glad we kept him around, because he's really helped us a lot down the stretch.''

The Vikings looked at Ford throughout the past offseason and ended up waiving him at the end of training camp. But he was signed to the practice squad to start the season. Ford was brought up to the 53-man roster Oct. 26, waived Oct. 29, signed back to the practice squad Oct. 31 and elevated again to the 53-man Nov. 2.

In a Nov. 3 game at Dallas, Ford picked up Adrian Peterson and carried him into the end zone during a touchdown run. That was the game Rudolph suffered a season-ending fractured foot.

Rudolph's replacement, Carlson, is expected to miss his second straight game Sunday at Cincinnati because of a concussion. Frazier has not ruled out Carlson being placed on the injured list.

Rhett Ellison and Ford Carlson have replaced Carlson. While Ellison is more of a blocker, Ford caught passes of 18 and 37 yards against the Eagles, the second one coming on third and 14 early in the fourth quarter after Minnesota's lead had been cut to 27-22.

"Coach Frazier always talks about the next man up,'' Ford said. "When you get your opportunities to make a play, you have to make it.''

On the practice squad, Ford wasn't exactly the next man in line to play. But Frazier said hard work got him on the 53-man roster, and he's now taken advantage of his opportunity.

"When we signed him, we saw him as a pass-receiving tight end,'' Frazier said. "And he's improved as a blocker, as well. So he's hard-working guy. And he's come up with some big plays for us.''


(twincities.com)

Our Teammates of the Week for this week are a pretty unlikely pair. One is the reigning and defending National Football League Most Valuable Player. . .the other is a guy that's been signed to and released from the practice squad numerous times, was active this week thanks to a bunch of injuries, and on the field largely because of another injury. It might sound like a wacky buddy comedy that's coming to a network near you this fall, but it actually made for a pretty decent pairing on Sunday in Dallas.

Trailing the Dallas Cowboys by a score of 20-17 in the fourth quarter, the Minnesota Vikings found themselves facing 4th-and-inches at the Cowboys' 11-yard line. The Vikings did the natural thing in that situation, which is turn around and hand the football to running back Adrian Peterson. Peterson rumbled over the right side of the line of scrimmage and easily got the necessary yardage, but it appeared that he would be stopped short of the end zone. He was nearly picked up off of the ground by Dallas safety Jeff Heath, and it looked like the Vikings would be looking at a first-and-goal situation.

And then something happened.

Tight end Chase Ford saw that Peterson was about to be taken down and. . .well, he did this.

(Just ignore the caption. . .please.)

Ford, seeing that Peterson was about to be taken down, grabbed Peterson, held him upright, and then basically tackled his own teammate into the end zone. Not to take anything away from Peterson's run, because it's one of the better ones of his career, in all honesty. . .but it doesn't happen without the help of Chase Ford.

We've heard of teammates picking each other up when they're down. In this case, we have a teammate actually, physically helping another team member when they were down. It was a great run by Peterson, a great heads-up move by Ford, and together it's good enough to make them our Teammates of the Week for Week 9.

The Minnesota Vikings signed tight end Chase Ford off the practice squad on Saturday and released defensive end Justin Trattou.

This is a reversal of a move made earlier this week when the Vikings cut Ford and re-signed Trattou as rumors swirled that the Vikings might trade defensive end Jared Allen.

Ford offers depth behind Kyle Rudolph and John Carlson with Rhett Ellison (ankle) out this week.

Ford signed with Philadelphia as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Miami last year and spent time on the Dallas practice squad as well.

Trattou played in five games with the Giants earlier this season before New York released him and the Vikings signed him.


(lindyssports.com)

The Minnesota Vikings cut tight end Chase Ford and re-signed defensive end Justin Trattou.

Ford is a 6-foot-6, 245-pounder from the University of Miami.

He has spent time previously with the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles.

Trattou was on the active roster until being recently released when Ford was promoted from the practice squad.

The move to add a defensive end to the roster coincides with reports that the Vikings are trying to trade defensive end Jared Allen. Whether this is connected or not remains to be seen.


(nationalfootballpost.com)

The Minnesota Vikings released defensive end Justin Trattou from the active roster.  Trattou was a former New York Giants player prior to his brief stay on the Vikings roster which lasted less than a month.  Although he would have been primarily a special teams player, Justin Trattou failed to find any playing time during a game while with the Vikings.

To take his place on the roster, Minnesota has signed tight end Chase Ford to the active roster.  Ford is most likely was promoted due to the injury to fellow tight end Rhett Ellison.  Ellison has already been ruled out of the week 8 contest with an ankle injury.


(thevikingage.com)

NFL teams are cutting their rosters down to the final 53 but also adding to their rosters.

OL Tyler Horn was released by the Texans.

TE Chase Ford who was cut by the Minnesota Vikings was SIGNED to the Vikings practice squad. WR Tommy Streeter who was cut by the Ravens has been signed to the Buffalo Bills practice squad. DL Marcus Forston was signed to the Patriots practice squad. DE Adewale Ojomo who was previously cut by the NY Giants was signed to the Giants’ practice squad.

LB Rocky McIntosh was released by the Lions. LB/DE Baraka Atkins was cut by the New Orleans Saints. DB DeMarcus Van Dyke who was cut by the Steelers and then placed on IR, was waived off of IR with a Settlement. TE Richard Gordon was cut by the Raiders. DL Antonio Dixon was cut by the Eagles. DL Micanor Regis was cut by the Falcons.

Previously, after the third NFL Pre Season game, four proCanes were cut. Ravens WR and RB Tommy Streeter and Damien Berry were waived respectively. Eagles Safety Kenny Phillips was waived. Raiders DB Cory Nelms was also waived.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings wasted no time making sure their practice squad players will be around for the offseason.

The team announced on Monday afternoon all eight have been re-signed to reserve/futures contracts.

Those players are: defensive tackle Chase Baker, running back Joe Banyard, tight ends LaMark Brown and Chase Ford, defensive back Bobby Felder, guard Tyler Holmes, tackle Kevin Murphy and receiver Chris Summers.

The Vikings now have 52 players under contract for 2013. Fourteen players who finished the season on the 53-man roster are unsigned.


(1500espn.com)