Dolphins Find New Running Back After Losing Alexander Mattison for 2025 Season

Mattison suffered a season-ending neck injury on Sunday.
Aaron Shampklin signed with the Dolphins on Monday.
Aaron Shampklin signed with the Dolphins on Monday. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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The Dolphins quickly found a potential running back replacement for Alexander Mattison on Monday just hours after it was reported that Mattison would miss the 2025 season. Miami is signing Aaron Shampklin on a deal, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported.

Shampklin hasn't seen much action on the NFL field since he was picked up by the Cowboys in 2022 after going undrafted out of Harvard. He spent that season on the Colts' practice squad. He had a short run in the USFL in 2023.

The running back played in three games during the 2024 season with the Steelers. He was elevated from the practice squad in Week 4 when Jaylen Warren was out with injury. He carried the ball three times and notched 17 yards.

Shampklin might not be Miami's long-term solution for Mattison's absence, but Shampklin has the chance to prove himself on the roster.

Mattison suffered a neck injury during Sunday's preseason game vs. the Bears. He underwent neck surgery at a local Chicago hospital and is doing well. But, he now has to miss the entire 2025 season while recovering.


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Madison Williams
MADISON WILLIAMS

Madison Williams is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated, where she specializes in tennis but covers a wide range of sports from a national perspective. Before joining SI in 2022, Williams worked at The Sporting News. Having graduated from Augustana College, she completed a master’s in sports media at Northwestern University. She is a dog mom and an avid reader.