Alexander

Mattison

Mattison joined the Raiders on a one-year contract this offseason after struggling mightily as the Vikings starter in their first season post-Dalvin Cook. He opened 2024 as Zamir White’s backup but quickly worked his way into a committee and eventually took over as the starter. Mattison topped 15 touches five times and hit 60 yards from scrimmage on six occasions. On the other hand, he went over 70 total yards just once. Like White before him, Mattison was out-played by his backup down the stretch and lost work to Ameer Abdullah in the final month of the season. Abdullah had fully supplanted him as the top option before a foot injury ended his season a week early. An impending free agent, Mattison’s days as a starting running back are at an end. He will look for a backup job on the open market in the spring.

Mattison took most of his carries late in the fourth quarter after Ameer Abdullah left the game with a foot injury and he figures to be in line for a much bigger workload next week if Abdullah is unable to go. However, the 26-year-old was completely ineffective when he touched the ball with a long run of just six yards. He would not be a recommended play in fantasy leagues next week, even if Abdullah is out.

Even with the touchdown, Mattison was easily outperformed by Ameer Abdullah, as Abdullah was able to procure 85 total yards and a score himself. Those who were forced to play Mattison at least got the touchdown, but outside of that was ineffective against the Jacksonville front seven. Mattison should remain the starter, but there should be much better options in fantasy in Week 17 against New Orleans.

Sincere McCormick earned the start for the second consecutive week before bowing out in the second quarter with an ankle injury he initially attempted to play through, after which time Mattison served as the primary rusher to little effect. The team rotated pass-catching specialist Ameer Abdullah through at an elevated rate considering the negative game environment, who amassed 58 yards through the air on seven receptions to go along with eight yards on three carries. There is little fantasy value in a backfield averaging the fewest rush yards per game this season, regardless of McCormick’s status moving forward.

Head coach Antonio Pierce said on Wednesday that Mattison would “probably” be active for Week 15’s game against the Vikings, so his being a full participant to open the week doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Unfortunately for Mattison, Pierce also said Sincere McCormick has earned the right to serve as the team’s RB1, making Mattison impossible to play in Week 15 even if he’s active.

Pierce noted that Sincere McCormick would remain the team’s No. 1 back, so Mattison’s return won’t change much in the backfield. Mattison was limited in all three practices last week but was held out on Sunday. He should be upgraded to a full participant this week before being cleared for action. Fantasy managers shouldn’t worry about stashing Mattison even in deep leagues. McCormick, on the other hand, has worked himself into an RB3 ranking going forward.

Sincere McCormick and Ameer Abdullah will split the Vegas backfield for another week, with Mattison and Zamir White out. McCormick out-carried Abdullah 12-10 in Week 13, though the latter is still Vegas’s preferred option on passing downs. Both backs are stuck at the back of the RB3 ranks for Week 14.

Zamir White was ruled out on Friday. Mattison was given a shot to suit up after getting in three practices this week but still needs more time to recover from his lingering ankle issue. With nothing left to play for, the Raiders don’t need to rush the veteran back. Sincere McCormick and Ameer Abdullah will split the backfield this week. McCormick led the team with 12 carries last week while Abdullah remains the top back in passing situations. Both are RB3/FLEX plays for Week 14.

Zamir White, on the other hand, remains out with a quad injury. Mattison participated in all three practices this week but never got upgraded to a full session, making him a true game-time call for Week 14. His return would signal the end of Sincere McCormick SZN. If Mattison doesn’t suit up, McCormick would serve as the Raiders’ primary early-down back, keeping him in the RB3 ranks for another week.

Mattison has been limited in both practices to start the week. He followed a similar regiment last week but was ultimately ruled out for Week 13 despite being limited in every practice. The Raiders are expected to lean more heavily on Sincere McCormick in the coming days, making Mattison nearly impossible to trust for Week 14 against the Buccaneers even if he is active.