Mattison is expected to fill a lead role out of the Minnesota backfield Sunday in Detroit with Dalvin Cook (shoulder) ruled out for the contest, Craig Peters of the Vikings' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mattison already appeared to be tracking toward his third start of the season after Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Monday that Cook was due to miss the Vikings' next two games with a dislocated left shoulder, but head coach Mike Zimmer wasn't immediately willing to rule the 26-year-old out for the Week 13 matchup. Zimmer finally relented Friday after Cook missed his third straight practice, leaving Mattison and Kene Nwangwu as the lone healthy running backs currently on the 53-man roster. Given that Nwangwu has been entrusted with little more than a special-teams role this season, Mattison should be well positioned to play at least two-thirds of Minnesota's offensive snaps while likely taking on 20-plus touches, just as he did in starts Week 3 and 5. In the Week 5 matchup with this same Lions squad, Mattison carried 25 times for 113 yards and hauled in all seven of his targets for 40 yards and a touchdown. Mattison looks like a must-start option in just about every fantasy league in Week 13.

Mattison carried the ball seven times for 21 yards and a touchdown and caught two of three targets for seven yards in Sunday's 34-28 loss to the 49ers.

EDGE Analysis

The touchdown, Mattison's first rushing TD of the year, came early in the second half, but Dalvin Cook left the game on the Vikings' next drive with a shoulder injury and didn't return. If Cook's latest injury proves to be serious, Mattison could find himself back in the lead role for a very juicy Week 13 matchup with the Lions.

Mattison had three carries for five yards in Sunday's 34-31 win over Green Bay.

EDGE Analysis

Mattison isn't getting many opportunities with Dalvin Cook healthy, as he's had just 20 touches over his last five games. Mattison had more than 100 yards rushing in both spot starts this season when Cook was injured, so he's still one of the more valuable backups in the league.

Mattison had four carries for 16 yards and one reception for 24 yards in Sunday's 27-20 win at the Chargers.

EDGE Analysis

Mattison isn't getting many touches with Dalvin Cook healthy, but his 24-yard reception was a key play in the game. He played just 12 snaps on offense as he has a limited backup role with Cook at full strength. Mattison eclipsed 100 rushing yards in both spot starts when Cook has sat out this season, so he's still one of the more valuable backups in the league.

Mattison had four carries for a total of zero yards and one reception on his lone target for three yards in Sunday's 34-31 overtime loss at Baltimore.

EDGE Analysis

Mattison played just nine snaps as he has a limited backup role with Dalvin Cook at full strength. Mattison eclipsed 100 rushing yards in both spot starts when Cook has sat out this season, so he's one of the more valuable backups in the league.

Mattison had two carries for five yards and lost five yards on two receptions in Sunday's 20-16 loss to Dallas.

EDGE Analysis

Mattison played eight snaps on offense as he had a minimal role with Dalvin Cook fully healthy. Mattison eclipsed 100 rushing yards in both spot starts when Cook has sat out this season, so he's one of the more valuable backups in the league. However, Mattison likely will have minimal fantasy value most games when Cook is healthy.

Mattison had three carries for 10 yards in Sunday's win at Carolina.

EDGE Analysis

With Dalvin Cook back to full strength after missing the previous game with an ankle injury, Mattison moved back to a reserve role and played on just 12 of the offense's 89 snaps. Mattison eclipsed 100 rushing yards in both spot starts when Cook has sat out this season, so he's one of the more valuable backups in the league. However, he'll likely have minimal fantasy most games when Cook is healthy.

Mattison (shoulder) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Panthers, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dalvin Cook (ankle) also has been cleared, so Mattison likely will be relegated to a backup role. Mattison has eclipsed 100 rushing yards in both spot starts when Cook has sat out this season. Given Mattison's effectiveness and Cook's fragile health, Minnesota may opt to give Mattison a more significant share of the workload than he previously had been receiving with both running backs healthy.

Mattison (shoulder) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

A shoulder issue is impacting Mattison's practice reps during Week 6 prep, keeping him out of Wednesday's session entirely before returning to the field one day later. While Mattison increased his activity level, Dalvin Cook (ankle) did the same, as he went from limited to full in the same time span. The development would appear to set Cook up to retain the No. 1 role out of the Vikings backfield, meaning Mattison would be his top reserve, at best, if he's able to suit up Sunday at Carolina.

Mattison (shoulder) returned to practice Thursday, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

After logging a DNP to begin Week 6 prep, Mattison seemed to be matching what Dalvin Cook (ankle), who was limited Wednesday, did one day later. If both end up with LP next to their names on Thursday's injury report, the Vikings could be trending toward a direction where it's the usual backfield Sunday at Carolina, with Cook as the No. 1 and Mattison on hand as his top backup. In any case, the activity level for Cook and Mattison will be known later Thursday.