Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison missed Week 15 due to an ankle injury. He has not provided much help to fantasy football managers who spent sizable draft capital to add him to their teams this summer. However, due to the injuries at the position, there are fantasy managers who might be relying on Mattison to help them get to a fantasy championship game.
Mattison is currently listed as questionable heading into this afternoon’s game against the Detroit Lions. However, will Mattison play today against the Lions? What is the latest news concerning his injury? And, if he does play today, what is Mattison’s fantasy outlook for Week 16?
Is Alexander Mattison Going To Play Week 16?
Editor’s note: Mattison is officially active for Week 16.
Mattison has been struggling with an ankle injury he sustained in the Week 14 3-0 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. He missed Week 15 as a result, leading to Ty Chandler putting up the best rushing game of any Vikings running back this season.
Mattison did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday due to the injury. However, Mattison did return to practice on Friday, albeit in a limited capacity. This suggests he is close to returning.
And Tom Pelissero of NFL Network provided an update this morning on Mattison’s current prognosis. He posted on X, “#Vikings RB Alexander Mattison (ankle) is expected to play today against Detroit, source said, but he’s not 100%. Expect Minnesota to keep riding Ty Chandler.”
This means that while Mattison is available to play, he is unlikely to be the feature back for the Vikings this afternoon. Therefore, what does that mean for his fantasy outlook in Week 16?
What Is Mattison’s Potential Fantasy Outlook for Today?
Mattison is coming into Week 16 as the RB35 in fantasy football despite being the lead back for most of the season for the Vikings. Mattison has not managed more than 7.3 fantasy points in a game since Week 9.
Mattison has not mustered a single rushing touchdown this season, though he has managed three receiving touchdowns, with the last coming in Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons.
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Mattison has become a touchdown-dependent fantasy asset, which isn’t ideal considering his lack of touchdowns. He has not seen more than three targets in a game since Week 6 against the Chicago Bears. And he has rushed for more than 70 yards just once since Week 4 (Week 11 against the Denver Broncos).
Meanwhile, Ty Chandler is expected to be the lead back today for the Vikings. He managed 132 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in Week 15 in Mattison’s absence. Chandler has two rushing touchdowns this season off just 72 carries.
The Vikings play the Lions this week who are only allowing 14.8 fantasy points per game to running backs. This is the lowest of any of the 32 teams in the NFL heading into Week 16.
With this daunting run-game matchup, Mattison not being 100%, and Chandler being the more explosive back so far this season, fantasy managers should sit Mattison in all formats and should not risk him if they are looking to secure a berth into their fantasy championships. Mattison can be considered droppable in all redraft formats for next week’s waiver wire if Chandler remains healthy for next week.
Mattison has not provided fantasy managers with enough production to warrant keeping him on their rosters for championship week. Fantasy managers would be better off playing for a high-profile stash such as Jordan Mason or Leonard Fournette instead.
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