Former Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison is signing an undisclosed deal with the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, according to a source. Mattison is still only 25 years old and recorded 17 touchdowns in his five seasons in Minnesota after they took him in the third round in the 2019 draft out of Boise State. The 25-year-old was a disappointment in 2023 while taking over the lead-back role from Dalvin Cook, though, which is why Mattison was released this offseason. In 16 games (13 starts) last year, Mattison had a career-high 180 carries for 700 yards (3.9 yards per carry) and no rushing touchdowns while adding 30 catches for 192 yards and three touchdowns. Josh Jacobs is no longer in Vegas, but Mattison figures to work in a timeshare with Zamir White in his first year in Sin City in 2024.
Free-agent running back Alexander Mattison is visiting with the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, according to sources. Multiple teams are in play for Mattison this point after he was cut by the Minnesota Vikings this offseason. Mattison took over the Vikings' lead-back role in 2023 after the team moved on from Dalvin Cook, but Mattison didn't impress with the extra playing time, averaging 3.9 yards per carry on a career-high 180 rushing attempts while running for 700 yards and no touchdowns in 16 games (13 starts). He added 30 receptions for 192 yards and three touchdowns on a career-high 44 targets. The Raiders didn't re-sign Josh Jacobs, so as of right now, Zamir White is their RB1 this offseason. If Mattison where to sign with Vegas, he'd most likely be involved in some sort of timeshare with White.
The Minnesota Vikings informed running back Alexander Mattison on Thursday that they are releasing him, according to a source. Mattison took over in 2023 for Dalvin Cook as Minnesota's primary running back and ran for a career-high 700 yards on 180 carries (3.9 yards per carry) and no touchdowns while adding 30 catches on 44 targets for 192 yards and three receiving scores in 16 games. The 25-year-old will head back to the free-agent market this offseason, but this time he won't be returning to the Vikings. It was clear early on that Mattison wasn't the answer for the Vikes' running game, as he was often stuffed behind the line of scrimmage and lacked any kind of consistent burst. After his 2023 showing, his fantasy stock has plummeted, and he'll likely be in some sort of timeshare in 2024 wherever he lands.
Alexander Mattison Not A Reliable Option Versus Packers
Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison had just two carries for negative yardage in Week 16, as he ceded lead-back duties to Ty Chandler despite being active. Mattison was limited in practice this week with an ankle ailment, which is even more reason not to trust the Boise State product in Week 17 against the Packers. Despite having a matchup against the third-worst run defense in the NFL, Mattison should not be in lineups this week considering that his workload will be limited.
Alexander Mattison Puts In Another Limited Practice
Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (ankle) remained limited at Thursday's practice with the ankle injury that he suffered in Week 14. Mattison had to miss Week 15 on a short week with the game landing on a Saturday but was able to return to Minnesota's backfield for five snaps in last Sunday's loss to the Detroit Lions. Though Mattison appears to be on track to play on New Year's Eve for Sunday Night Football against the division-rival Green Bay Packers, the clock sure looks to have reached midnight on the 25-year-old back's fantasy appeal. Mattison took just two carries in Week 16, apparently ceding lead-back duties to Ty Chandler's eight totes in a pass-heavy Vikings offense. Mattison was trusted as the team's workhorse after they let Dalvin Cook walk away this past offseason, but he owns 3.9 yards per carry over 170 attempts and six drops this year. Mattison will not be a reliable RB4/flex if available for the fantasy finals.
Alexander Mattison Limited In Wednesday's Practice
Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (ankle) was estimated as a limited participant in the team's walkthrough practice on Wednesday. A right-ankle sprain cost Mattison the team's Week 15 contest, but he returned in this past Sunday's loss to the division-rival Detroit Lions. However, the 25-year-old only played five offensive snaps and handled two carries for minus-one yard. Ty Chandler didn't exactly do much, either, with eight carries for 17 yards and a touchdown against a stout Lions run defense. Mattison should be active once again this Sunday evening versus the division-rival Green Bay Packers, but it's very possible that Chandler continues to handle the majority of the backfield touches. With a fantasy championship on the line in Week 17, we hope fantasy managers have better RB options than Mattison.
Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (ankle) is officially active for Week 16 versus the Detroit Lions. However, as NFL Network's Tom Pelissero noted on Sunday morning, the 25-year-old is less than 100 percent and could have some limitations while operating behind Ty Chandler, who dominated with 157 total yards and one touchdown last weekend. While it's unclear exactly what this backfield split will look like, Chandler is expected to get the bulk of opportunities, presumably putting him in the high-end RB3 range versus a strong Lions run defense. Meanwhile, Mattison, who is dealing with his injury, a reduced role, and a difficult matchup, can be left on the bench in most fantasy leagues.
Alexander Mattison Expected To Play At Less Than 100 Percent
Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (ankle) is expected to play in Week 16 despite being listed as questionable, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. However, the 25-year-old is less than 100 percent and could take a backseat to Ty Chandler, who dominated with 157 total yards and one touchdown last weekend. While it's unclear exactly what this backfield split will look like, Pelissero made it clear that the Vikings will continue to "ride" Chandler, presumably putting him in the high-end RB3 range versus a strong Lions run defense. Meanwhile, Mattison, who is dealing with his injury and a reduced role, can be left on the bench in most fantasy leagues.
Alexander Mattison Questionable To Play In Week 16
Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (ankle) returned to practice on Friday and is officially listed as questionable for Week 16 versus the Detroit Lions. While Mattison doesn't appear to be 100 percent quite yet, it's a good sign that the Vikings are leaving the door open for him to play. The bad news, though, is that Ty Chandler will earn a heavy dose of touches out of the backfield this Sunday after he exploded for 157 scrimmage yards in Week 15. It's not clear exactly what this backfield split will look like, but fantasy managers should prepare for Mattison dropping to the low-end RB3 tier if active.
Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (ankle) did not suit up for Thursday's practice session. This is now back-to-back days that Mattison has sat out while he recovers from an ankle injury. It's worth noting that Mattison hasn't practiced in any capacity since suffering his ankle injury in Week 14. That means, Mattison is trending towards missing his second straight game. If that happens, Ty Chandler would be asked to operate as the lead back against the Detroit Lions. Chandler looked solid last week and would have decent streaming appeal if Mattison is unable to play.
