Zamir White (groin) has been ruled out for Week 5 at Denver, which makes Mattison the lead running back for the Raiders. He was likely trending toward becoming the starter anyway, but now Mattison can run away with the job with a strong performance against the Broncos. We'll see what the Raiders do with Ameer Abdullah or Dylan Laube as backups to Mattison against Denver, but Mattison should get the majority of touches. He just averaged 12 yards per carry in Week 4 against Cleveland, and Mattison also scored a touchdown in each of the first three games, with at least 13.4 PPR points in two of those outings. The Broncos have allowed three running backs this season to score at least 11.5 PPR points, and Mattison should be considered at least a flex option in all leagues.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Set for lead role with White out
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Mattison is set to operate as Vegas' top running back against the Broncos on Sunday, as Zamir White (groin) has been ruled out, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.
White picked up the groin injury in practice Wednesday and subsequently sat out Thursday and Friday. Even before the injury to White, Mattison had been headed for an uptick in opportunities, as Mattison's averaging 5.1 yards on 17 carries this season compared to White's paltry 3.1 YPC on 49 rushes. Ameer Abdullah and Dylan Laube also could see more touches in White's absence.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Role slated to increase
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Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said Monday that Mattison's recent quality of play has earned him more work and that he's "going to get it," Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.
Mattison handled only five carries during Las Vegas' 20-16 win over the Browns in Week 4, but he compiled 60 yards on the ground. Meanwhile, starter Zamir White rushed 17 times for 50 yards and lost a fumble, which was recovered by Cleveland's defense and returned for a score in the fourth quarter. Through the first four games of the regular season, Mattison is averaging 5.1 yards per carry and has scored a total of three times, while White is averaging just 3.1 yards per rush and has yet to score. It won't be surprising if Mattison forces a more even split of touches on the road against Denver on Sunday.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Week 4 Adds (RB Preview)
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Alexander Mattison appears to be the preferred option for the Raiders in short-yardage and on passing downs. He's scored a touchdown each week and has more than double Zamir White's Fantasy production this season. He's no more than a flex for now but could be more if he earns more work.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Six touches and a score Sunday
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Mattison rushed three times for seven yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 36-22 loss to the Panthers. He also caught all three of his targets for 37 yards.
The Raiders' efficiency issues on the ground continued Sunday, but Mattison vultured fellow running back Zamir White near the goal line for a second straight week by putting the team on the board with a two-yard rushing touchdown late in the first quarter. Additionally, Mattison remained the primary receiving option out of the backfield ahead of Ameer Abdullah, who was targeted twice. Looking ahead to Week 4, Las Vegas plays host to a Browns defense that just ceded six collective receptions for 60 yards to Giants running backs Devin Singletary and Tyrone Tracy.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Scores goal-line TD in victory
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Mattison rushed four times for one yard and a touchdown in Sunday's 26-23 win over the Ravens.
The former Viking wasn't targeted in the passing game Sunday after quarterback Gardner Minshew looked his way on six separate occasions in the season opener, but Mattison was dealt a goal-line carry late in the third quarter, which he converted for a one-yard touchdown run. Aside from falling into the end zone, Mattison netted no production as the Raiders' entire backfield was stymied on the ground by the Ravens' defensive front. Both Mattison and Zamir White will look to find more space to run at home against a struggling Panthers team in Week 3.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Sleeper RBs
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One of the bigger surprises in Week 1 was Mattison playing more snaps than Zamir White against the Chargers, and Mattison was also used as a pass catcher out of the backfield. It worked, as he caught four of six targets for 43 yards and a touchdown with five carries for 19 yards. He played 60 percent of the snaps compared to 38 percent for White, and we'll see what happens in Week 2 at Baltimore. Given the likely game script of the Raiders playing from behind, Mattison can be considered a flex option in PPR.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Week 2 Adds (RB Preview)
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Oh, how the turntables. Remember when Mattison was the presumed starter in Minnesota, got drafted way too high in Fantasy Football, and then lost his job by midseason? In Week 1 it was Mattison outplaying Zamir White, scoring a touchdown, and looking like the best back in Las Vegas. Mattison is the clear passing downs back and I would bet on the Raiders playing from behind in Week 2. Mattison could be a PPR flex this week and could be the best back for the Raiders for the rest of the season.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Week 2 Waiver Priority List
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Mattison played more snaps than Zamir White in Week 1 at the Chargers (36-23), and we'll see if that's a sign of things to come. Mattison did well in the passing game with four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown on six targets, and he also added five carries for 19 yards. We'll see what happens for the Raiders in Week 2 at Baltimore, but if Las Vegas is trailing then Mattison could again have an expanded role. He's worth adding for 5-10 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Unremarkable with six touches
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Mattison rushed five times for 15 yards and secured one of two targets for six yards in the Raiders' 27-12 preseason loss to the Cowboys on Saturday night. He also returned one kickoff for 23 yards.
Mattison worked as the second running back in behind Zamir White, a hierarchy that's expected to be mirrored during the regular season. Mattison shouldn't need any additional reps to get ready for the regular season and will be a valuable complementary presence, so he's likely to sit out of the Raiders' preseason finale against the 49ers on Friday night.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: In line for No. 2 RB role
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Mattison profiles as Zamir White's top backup at running back, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.
Following the free-agent departure of Josh Jacobs, White is the team's presumed lead back and figures to handle the bulk of the carries, likely leaving Mattison without much fantasy value unless the 24-year-old suffers an injury (or struggles and eventually gets benched). Meanwhile, Reed indicates that Ameer Abdullah and rookie Dylan Laube are still competing for third-down RB duties, although Mattison handled some of those snaps with the first-team offense in Vegas' preseason opener against Minnesota.
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Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Set to join Las Vegas backfield
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Mattison is in line to sign with the Raiders, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
In 16 games for the Vikings during the 2023 regular season, Mattison had 180 carries for 700 yards and caught 30 of his 44 targets for 192 yards and three receiving TDs. With the Raiders, Mattison -- who turns 26 in June -- is slated to provide the team with needed backfield depth and a complementary option alongside 2022 fourth-rounder Zamir White following the free-agent departure of Josh Jacobs. Assuming White serves as Las Vegas' top RB option, Mattison's weekly upside will be modest, but if White is injured or struggles at all as the 2024 season progresses, Mattison could reenter the fantasy lineup equation.
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Alexander Mattison: Officially released by Minnesota
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The Vikings officially released Mattison on Monday.
Mattison initially was informed of his release by the team in late February, and he's now officially a free agent after having signed a two-year, $7 million deal with the team last offseason. The veteran back is coming off a solid season from a volume perspective, with 700 yards on a career-high 180 carries across 16 games, but those stats were marred by a lack of explosiveness (3.9 YPC) and turnovers, with three total fumbles, two of which were lost. Mattison has turned in three straight seasons averaging less than 4.0 YPC. In the meantime, Minnesota should be in the market for backfield options to join Ty Chandler.
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Vikings' Alexander Mattison: Handles eight touches in finale
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Mattison rushed seven times for 24 yards and caught his lone target for five yards in Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Lions.
Mattison continued to operate as the backup running back behind Ty Chandler, concluding a disappointing season for the former player. In 16 appearances, the 25-year-old carried 180 times for 700 yards (3.9 average) and failed to find the end zone as a rusher. Mattison did, however, score three times as a receiver while compiling 30 catches for 192 yards.Though he signed a two-year, $7 million contract last offseason while Minnesota eventual cut incumbent starter Dalvin Cook, Mattison's future atop the depth chart for the Vikings looks murky at best. Chandler will presumably slot ahead of Mattison heading into the start of the offseason program, though it wouldn't be surprising if the Vikings looked to upgrade the position group through the 2024 NFL Draft, free agency or trade.
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Vikings' Alexander Mattison: Five touches in loss
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Mattison had three carries for 17 yards and two receptions for 13 yards on two targets in Sunday's loss to Green Bay.
Mattison again took a back seat to starter Ty Chandler as he played on 21 of the offense's 53 snaps. Chandler played on 30 snaps. Mattison looks set to work behind Chandler again for the regular season finale Sunday at Detroit.
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Vikings' Alexander Mattison: Cleared for SNF
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Mattison (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday night's game against Green Bay.
His status was never really in doubt after he returned from an ankle injury last week and took two touches on five snaps in a 30-24 loss to the Lions. Mattison upgraded to full practice participation Friday after limited sessions earlier in the week, and there's a good chance he gets at least a little more playing time Week 17 given that he's healthier and Ty Chandler managed just 17 total yards last week. Chandler still looks like the better fantasy play out of the two, having taken 65 percent of the snaps last week after rumbling for 157 total yards in a loss to Cincinnati the week prior.
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Vikings' Alexander Mattison: Limited Thursday
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Mattison (ankle) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.
Since sitting out Week 15 due to a sprained right ankle, Mattison handled a bit role in the offense (two carries on five offensive snaps) this past Sunday versus the Lions and now has been listed as limited on back-to-back injury reports during Week 17 prep. He likely will need to return to all activity Friday in order to avoid an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Packers. Even if he's able to suit up again this weekend, though, Mattison may play second fiddle to RB Ty Chandler, who logged 65 percent of snaps and had eight rushes for 17 yards and a touchdown against Detroit.
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Vikings' Alexander Mattison: Limited on practice estimate
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Mattison (ankle) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.
Mattison sat out Week 15 due to a right ankle sprain, but he was able to return to action this past Sunday against the Lions, when he turned two carries into minus-1 yard on five offensive snaps in the Vikings' 30-24 loss. Fellow running back Ty Chandler paced the Vikings backfield with 36 snaps on offense, but he managed just eight carries for 17 yards and one touchdown. As long as Mattison's health is compromised, he may continue to play second fiddle to Chandler down the stretch, assuming the former is active on game days. In the end, Friday's injury report will reveal whether or not Mattison enters the weekend with a designation for Sunday's matchup with the Packers.
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Vikings' Alexander Mattison: Sparse usage in return
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Mattison had two carries for minus-1 yard during Sunday's 30-24 defeat to the Lions.
In a game in which the Vikings were in catch-up mode from the outset, the offense led by quarterback Nick Mullens leaned toward the air and not the ground, resulting in 36 pass attempts and just 11 rushes. Fellow running back Ty Chandler handled eight of those carries, and the only member of the backfield to receive a target was FB C.J. Ham, despite WR Jordan Addison (ankle) and TE T.J. Hockenson (knee) leaving the contest with injuries. According to Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com, there was an expectation that Mattison would be the second RB behind Chandler in the former's return from a one-game absence due to a sprained right ankle, and Mattison's upcoming activity level during Week 17 prep may give a sense of how much work he'll be able to handle Sunday, Dec. 31 against the Packers.
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Vikings' Alexander Mattison: Active, may have light role
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Mattison (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Lions.
Coming off his first absence of the season in the Vikings' Week 15 overtime loss to the Bengals, Mattison turned in just one limited practice this week, but the coaching and training staffs apparently came away encouraged enough with his health to give him the green light to play Saturday. However, Mattison likely isn't close to 100 percent healthy and could be in store for a smaller role than usual out of the backfield, as Ty Chandler is expected to serve as the team's lead back, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. Head coach Kevin O'Connell hasn't outlined his plans for the backfield beyond Week 16, though he suggested earlier in the week that Chandler could have an opportunity to stake his claim to the No. 1 role beyond Sunday's game. Chandler broke out for the best performance by a Minnesota running back all season in last week's loss to Cincinnati, finishing with 132 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries to go with three catches for 25 yards on four targets. Mattison, meanwhile, is averaging a middling 3.9 yards per carry and hasn't found the end zone on 168 carries through 13 appearances.
