Longtime Vikings RB Suffers Season-Ending Injury
Former Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison received the worst kind of news on Monday.
A former Vikings running back is out for the season after a neck injury in Sunday’s game vs. Chicago that required emergency surgery. Here’s what to know.
Mattison now works for the Miami Dolphins after a stint with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024, and after a preseason showing, the ex-Viking will miss the entire 2025 campaign with a neck injury.
The Worst Kind of News Besets Alexander Mattison
The ex-Viking was trending well in 2025 after a strong training camp.
Alexander Mattison to Miss All of 2025 with Neck Injury
Mattison was injured over the weekend in a preseason contest against the Chicago Bears. The fallout became even worse.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted, “Dolphins running back Alexander Mattison underwent season-ending neck surgery Sunday in Chicago, per sources. Mattison hurt his neck during Sunday’s game vs. the Bears, was taken by ambulance to a local hospital and had surgery.”
The news blindsided NFL fans because Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said after the game, “He’s doing well. He had some neck and shoulder soreness, but we’ll find out more in the next couple of days.”
McDaniel must’ve received erroneous intel, as Mattison’s injury devolved into something far more serious.
A Devastating Development for Mattison
All indications from Dolphins training camp over the last three weeks pointed to a career resurgence for Mattison. He was battling for an RB3 job in Miami behind De’Von Achane and Jaylen Wright, and according to Dolphins-themed media, he was on the right track.
The injury is obviously brutal for Mattison, and the next several months will be all about his recovery.
Before the latest injury, Mattison had never played less than 13 games in an NFL season. He was not an iron man, but Mattison usually found his way into the lineup.
Mattison’s Time in Minnesota
The Vikings pulled Mattison out of Round 3 of the 2019 NFL Draft, partnering him with Dalvin Cook, the team’s RB1 from 2017 to 2022. Mattison always spelled Cook admirably in relief, so much so that Minnesota gave Mattison an RB1 audition in 2024 that mostly flopped.
All told, Mattison rushed for 2,370 yards in Minnesota, playing 75 games and tabulating 17 total touchdowns. Current running back Aaron Jones came on the scene during the 2024 offseason as Mattison’s direct RB1 replacement and is in line for the job once again this season.
Now What for Miami?
Without Mattison for the rest of 2025, Miami will rely on this RB group:
- De’Von Achane
- Jaylen Wright
- Ollie Gordon
- Alec Ingold (FB)
For preseason purposes, the Dolphins will need more tailbacks, so expect general manager Chris Grier to sign one or two in the coming days.
Dolphins-Themed Media’s Take
Before any knowledge of Mattison’s season-ending injury, PhinPhanatic.com‘s Brian Miller sized up Mattison and his teammate, Ollie Gordon.
He wrote, “Mattison looked strong on Sunday against the Bears. He ran with physicality and conviction. He is trying to make a statement that he deserves a roster spot. Statistically, his numbers were not eye-popping as he ran the ball three times for eight yards, but there is no denying he looked like a power back.”
“Ollie Gordon, however, was used a little more, carrying the ball eight times for 33 yards. Gordon looked good in his first NFL action. Like Mattison, Gordon was used at the goal line, and both players were able to punch in touchdowns. The biggest issue is the needs at other positions. The offensive line depth is a problem, the cornerback unit is void of quality depth, and the Dolphins may want to keep all three quarterbacks on the 53.”
Fans will now hope for a return by Mattison in 2026.
Miller added, “This makes other positions that are deeper with talent, susceptible to cuts to help the other positions. In the case of Mattison and Gordon, both looked good, but Mattison will have to look better. Gordon isn’t a lock to make the roster, but it would be almost shocking if he did not.”
“If all things are equal, the Dolphins’ toughest decision on the roster might be putting Mattison back on the market, because Gordon looks like he will have no problem handling the job Mattison was hired to do.”
Mattison turned 27 in June.
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