Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Limited volume as lead back
Rotowire
Mattison rushed the ball six times for 20 yards in Sunday's 34-20 loss to the Chargers. He added four receptions on five targets for 11 yards.
Mattison served as the clear lead back for Las Vegas with Ameer Abdullah (foot) sidelined, though he had only one rushing attempt after halftime despite the Raiders being down one score until late in the contest. The story of this game also encapsulated Mattison's campaign, as he averaged a miserable 3.2 yards per carry in one of the least explosive offenses in the league. He'll hit free agency this offseason and will likely sign a short-term deal with the hopes of serving as a change-of-pace back.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Alexander Mattison: In line to pace Week 18 backfield
Rotowire
With Ameer Abdullah (foot) ruled out for Sunday's season finale against the Chargers, Mattison is in line to start at running back for the Raiders in Week 18, per Tashan Reed of The Athletic.
Mattison, who carried 10 times for 32 yards and caught one of three targets for six yards in last weekend's win over the Saints (a game in which Abdullah logged 20 carries for 115 yards to go along with three catches), is thus in line for an expanded role Sunday, with Chris Collier and Dylan Laube, to a lesser degree, available to mix in. With that in mind, Mattison offers fantasy managers who are dealing with injuries or resting starters with a Week 18 pivot option.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Alexander Mattison: In line to start Sunday
Rotowire
Mattison is expected to be the Raiders' starting running back Sunday versus the Chargers with Ameer Abdullah (foot) listed as doubtful for that contest, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.
Among his 13 appearances this season, Mattison has surpassed 4.0 YPC just one time (5-60-0 back in Week 4 against the Browns), and overall he's averaged 3.2 yards on his 126 rushes to date. He at least has supplemented poor performance on the ground with 32 catches (on 43 targets) for 283 yards while also scoring five total TDs. With Abdullah likely sidelined this weekend, Mattison should take on an expanded role, but he also may yield RB reps to Chris Collier and maybe even Dylan Laube.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Inefficient again in backup role
Rotowire
Mattison rushed 10 times for 32 yards and caught one of three targets for six yards in Sunday's 25-10 win over the Saints.
Mattison somewhat surprisingly ceded the start at running back to 31-year-old Ameer Abdullah, who proved to be far more effective with 20 carries for 115 yards to go along with three receptions for 32 yards. Abdullah likely earned himself first dibs at a larger share of the backfield workload again in Week 18 versus the Chargers, as Mattison's efficiency concerns remain.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Week 16 Adds (RB Preview)
Rotowire
If Sincere McCormick misses Week 16, then Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah will both be in play against a Jacksonville defense that has given up 26.3 PPR Fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. Our expectation is that Mattison will handle the majority of the team's rush attempts while Abdullah will be the pass-catching back. If the Raiders are playing from behind, Abdullah may be the better PPR play, but it is hard to forecast anyone playing from behind against Jacksonville.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Starts second half of loss Monday
Rotowire
Mattison took over for injured starter Sincere McCormick (ankle) in the second half of Monday's loss to the Falcons, finishing with 24 rushing yards (one fumble lost) on seven carries while corralling two of four targets for three receiving yards.
Mattison returned from an ankle injury of his own Monday before being thrust into a prominent role once Las Vegas' starting running back was ruled out at halftime. The former didn't do much on his nine touches, losing a fumble and getting tackled for a safety. Fellow backup Ameer Abdullah produced 66 yards and a score on 10 combined touches (primarily as a receiving option) for comparison. If McCormick is forced to miss time, Mattison figures to be the next man up given his experience and success as a starter in the past, with Abdullah likely being mixed in against the Jaguars on Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Opens week with full practice
Rotowire
Mattison (ankle) was a full participant in practice Thursday, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.
Mattison's full participation in practice to kick off Week 15 prep clears the way for him to put an end to his three-game absence Monday against the Falcons, but he'll likely find himself in a smaller role than he enjoyed prior to missing time with the ankle injury. Per Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official site, head coach Antonio Pierce announced Wednesday that Sincere McCormick will remain the team's starting running back moving forward, which likely means Mattison will see a reduction in the 9.7 carries per game he had averaged for the season before suffering the injury. McCormick hasn't shown much prowess as a receiver, however, so Mattison could be called upon to replace him on passing downs after averaging a healthy 9.8 yards per reception prior to his recent absence.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Expected to return in backup role
Rotowire
Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said Wednesday that he expects Mattison (ankle) to be available for Monday's game against the Falcons, though the running back is likely to fill a backup role moving forward, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.
Mattison appears on track to put an end to his three-game absence this week, but Pierce implied that Sincere McCormick has performed well enough over the past few contests to remain the team's lead back. Mattison had averaged 12.2 touches per game over his 10 appearances prior to missing time with the injury, but he struggled to take advantage of his opportunities, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry and 8.4 yards per target while scoring four touchdowns. Though McCormick should continue to pace the Las Vegas backfield in carries, Mattison should be the top change-of-pace option while Ameer Abdullah slides down to third on the depth chart.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Not playing Sunday
Rotowire
Mattison (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.
With Mattison and Zamir White (quadricep) set to miss their third consecutive games, the Raiders will turn to Ameer Abdullah and Sincere McCormick to pick up most of the snaps out of the backfield. Prior to missing time with the ankle injury, Mattison had been serving as the Raiders' lead back and had earned at least eight touches in each of his last six appearances, but it's unclear if he'll be in store for meaningful volume once he shakes off the ankle injury. Mattison is on an expiring contract, and after averaging just 3.3 yards per carry on the season, the non-contending Raiders may not be incentivized to give extensive work to a player who might not be part of the team heading into 2025.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Appears set to miss another game
Rotowire
Mattison (ankle), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, isn't likely to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Mattison logged a trio of limited practices this week, but he doesn't appear ready to return to action. Assuming he's made inactive ahead of the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, it will be the veteran tailback's third straight absence. Zamir White (quadricep) has already been ruled out for Week 14, so Las Vegas' backfield will likely be lead by Sincere McCormick on the ground, while Ameer Abdullah serves as the top change-of-pace option.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Questionable for Sunday
Rotowire
Mattison (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Tampa Bay, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.
For a second straight week, Mattison has operated with a cap on his reps and ended it as questionable to suit up. He ultimately was inactive last Friday at Kansas City, but if he returns this weekend there's a chance he'll retake control of the Raiders backfield from Ameer Abdullah and Sincere McCormick, with Zamir White (quadriceps) still sidelined.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Remains limited in practice
Rotowire
Mattison (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.
Mattison has now been listed as limited on five consecutive practice reports, but after missing the Raiders' last two contests, he may need to upgrade to full participation Friday in order to avoid carrying a designation into Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. Even if Mattison gets the green light to play Sunday, he may not take on as expansive of a role out of the Las Vegas backfield as he had enjoyed prior to sustaining the ankle injury. Mattison is averaging just 3.3 yards per carry on the season, and the Raiders had success on the ground in his absence with 2022 undrafted free agent Sincere McCormick, who gained 97 yards on 17 totes (5.7 YPC) over the past two weeks.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Limited in practice
Rotowire
Mattison (ankle) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.
Fellow running back Zamir White (quadriceps) was a non-participant and thus appears more likely than Mattison to miss a third straight game this Sunday in Tampa. Ameer Abdullah filled in as the starting back the past two weeks, but Sincere McCormick had a significant role in the second game, taking 38 percent of snaps and a team-high 12 carries (for 64 yards) in the 19-17 loss to Kansas City last Friday. It's difficult to project how large Mattison's role will be if he returns to action this Sunday, considering he's averaging 3.3 yards per carry this season and has reached 40 rushing yards in just one of his five starts. He's also on an expiring contract, which could be enough reason for the Raiders to open up more work for McCormick, a third-year player whom Las Vegas will be able to retain heading into 2025 as an exclusive-rights free agent.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Questionable for Week 13
Rotowire
Mattison (ankle) is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Chiefs.
While Mattison, who the Raiders deemed limited on their Tuesday through Thursday practice reports, has a chance to face Kansas City, Zamir White (quadriceps) was ruled out by the team. Confirmation of Mattison's Week 13 status will arrive once Las Vegas' inactives are posted ahead of Friday's 3:00 p.m. ET kickoff, but if he's limited or out, Ameer Abdullah would be in line to continue to see added backfield snaps, with Sincere McCormick and Dylan Laube also available to mix in.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Deemed limited in practice Tuesday
Rotowire
Mattison (ankle) was estimated as a limited participant in Tuesday's walk-through practice, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.
Though the Raiders held a walkthrough Tuesday, the fact that Mattison was deemed a limited participant is an improvement over last week, when he was listed as a non-participant on three occasions. The running back was unable to play in last Sunday's loss to Denver along with No. 2 back Zamir White (quadricep), allowing Ameer Abdullah to serve as the team's primary option out of the backfield. White was estimated as a non-participant Tuesday, and if neither he nor Mattison can return Friday against Kansas City, Abdullah should lead Las Vegas' rushing attack again, with Sincere McCormick likely to be elevated from the practice squad again for depth.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Doubtful for Sunday
Rotowire
Mattison (ankle) will be listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Broncos, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.
Meanwhile, Zamir White (quadricep) also will be deemed doubtful for the contest, paving the way for the Raiders to likely be without both backs this weekend. If the duo is inactive versus Denver, Las Vegas would likely start Ameer Abdullah at running back, according to Reed, with Dylan Laube and practice-squad member Sincere McCormick also in the mix, per Vic Tafur of The Athletic.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Another missed practice
Rotowire
Mattison (ankle) remained sidelined at practice Thursday.
The same applies to Zamir White (quadricep), with both backs in danger of missing Sunday's game against the Broncos. Friday's final injury report will reveal the game status of the duo, but if neither are available this weekend, Ameer Abdullah and Dylan Laube would be in line for expanded roles in Week 12, with Sincere McCormick and/or Chris Collier representing potential practice squad elevations.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Missing Wednesday's practice
Rotowire
Mattison (ankle) won't practice Wednesday, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.
Fellow running back Zamir White (quadricep) was also sidelined Wednesday, after both players were forced out of this past Sunday's loss to the Dolphins. Mattison's status warrants tracking as this Sunday's game against the Broncos approaches, but for the time being, the healthy running backs on the Raiders' active roster are Ameer Abdullah and Dylan Laube. Chris Collier and/or Sincere McCormick could be elevated from the practice squad to provide additional depth out of the backfield if one or both of Mattison and White aren't available Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Nine carries in loss
Rotowire
Mattison rushed nine times for 36 yards in the Raiders' 41-24 loss to the Bengals on Sunday.
Mattison once again led the Raiders' backfield in carries, outpacing Zamir White, who did score a rushing touchdown, by three attempts overall. Neither back was targeted in the passing game, and the non-fantasy-friendly pecking order is likely to persist through a Week 10 bye and into a Week 11 road matchup against the Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 17.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Alexander Mattison: May share more work with White
Rotowire
Head coach Antonio Pierce said Wednesday that Mattison remains the team's starting running back, but Pierce also wants to get Zamir White more involved, Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official site reports.
Mattison started the last four games and took at least 57 percent of snaps and at least 17 touches in each contest, averaging 16.5 carries for 44.5 yards (2.7 YPC) and 3.8 catches for 28.8 yards (7.2 YPT) while scoring one touchdown. The volume has made him a reasonable fantasy starter, at least in PPR leagues, but his struggles on the ground seemingly open the door for White to take on a significant role again, possibly as soon as this Sunday at Cincinnati.
