Mattison's Career Year Shifted Vs. Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders made an essential move by signing former Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison on Monday.
Regardless of where Mattison ends up on the depth chart by the start of the 2024 season, his presence adds depth to a room that recently lost one of the best running backs in the game, Josh Jacobs, to free agency.
Mattison comes off a career season, making 13 starts in 16 games. The former third-round pick was on a roll for roughly the first three-quarters of the 2023 campaign, making 13 consecutive starts after he only started six games in his previous four seasons.
Unfortunately for Mattison, his momentum was halted against the Raiders in Week 14 when he suffered an ankle injury early in the second half. He finished the game with 66 rushing yards, which led all players.
The game was a 0-0 stalemate with two minutes left before Minnesota made a field goal with 1:57 remaining to win, 3-0.
New Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison's (2) 2023 campaign took a turn for the worst when he suffered an ankle injury against the Raiders in Week 14.
© Stephen R. Sylvanie | 2023 Dec 10
Mattison missed the Vikings' next game against the Cincinnati Bengals before returning to play the Detroit Lions in Week 16. Even then, the injury hindered the veteran's season the rest of the way.
Mattison recorded minus-one yard on only two carries against Detroit. This was also his only game of the season in which he was not targeted for a pass.
Mattison saw 21 offensive snaps against the Green Bay Packers the following week and finished with 17 rushing yards on three carries in addition to 13 yards on two receptions.
In Minnesota's final game of the season, Mattison played only 23 offensive snaps and posted 24 rushing yards on seven carries, finishing the season with a career-best 700 rushing yards.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.
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