Mattison (undisclosed) did not play in Saturday's 18-17 preseason loss to the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Mattison has been dealing with an undisclosed injury that has kept him out of preseason action. The Vikings are likely being precautious with him given his status as the team's lead back, though practice reports in the leadup to a Week 1 matchup against the Buccaneers will ultimately provide more information about his health.

Mattison (undisclosed) took part in Thursday's practice, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

After Mattison missed the final stages of Tuesday's session while sporting a limp, he's been able to handle reps in back-to-back days. Wednesday's practice was a walkthrough, while the Vikings were back to a normal version Thursday, so he appears to be putting the injury behind him. Reserve running back Kene Nwangwu also is dealing with an unknown injury at the moment, so Minnesota signed Abram Smith on Thursday to bolster its backfield depth alongside Ty Chandler and rookie seventh-round pick DeWayne McBride.

Mattison (undisclosed) is participating in Wednesday's walkthrough, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

While a walkthrough doesn't entail contact or sprinting, Mattison's participation nonetheless indicates that the injury he suffered Tuesday isn't too serious. He was seen limping near the end of practice, which left Ty Chandler and DeWayne McBride as the only healthy tailbacks, with Kene Nwangwu (undisclosed) already sidelined. Mattison's spot atop the depth chart seems more solid than ever, as the Vikings still haven't signed a veteran running back and reportedly haven't received great performances from their young backups this summer (per Alec Lewis of The Athletic).

Mattison (undisclosed) was seen limping near the end of Tuesday's practice, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The nature of Mattison's issue isn't known, but the running back observed the latter stages of the session from the sideline before making his way to the locker room, per Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. Kene Nwangwu (undisclosed) also didn't log any on-field work for a second consecutive day, which left plenty of RB reps for Ty Chandler and rookie seventh-rounder DeWayne McBride. Coach Kevin O'Connell will likely give an update on the state of the Vikings backfield in the near future, but for now Mattison's status is unclear.

Offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said Thursday that Mattison "always knows what he's going to do" and is a better player than people realize, Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mattison ran a 4.67 40-yard dash coming out of Boise State in 2019 and didn't have a single 20-yard gain on 89 touches last year, but what he lacks in explosiveness he arguably makes up for with versatility, having proven himself competent as a blocker and pass catcher while also possessing the size and strength to handle large rushing workloads. Although Phillips acknowledged that the Vikings will miss Dalvin Cook's big-play ability, the OC seemed to hint that Mattison should do a better job keeping the offense on schedule and avoiding runs for no gain or lost yardage. Whether that's true remain to be seen, but it's at least clear the Vikings have confidence in Mattison, as they re-signed him to a two-year, $7 million contract and still haven't added a veteran RB to compete for carries. In fact, they're the only team in the NFL with fewer than five tailbacks on the roster at the start of training camp, with Mattison joined by 2021 fourth-round pick Kene Nwangwu, 2022 fifth-round pick Ty Chandler and 2023 seventh-rounder DeWayne McBride.

Mattison becomes the incumbent No. 1 option in Minnesota's backfield, with the team intending to part ways with Dalvin Cook, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mattison re-signed with the Vikings on a two-year contract this offseason, a move which now positions him as the likely starter heading into 2023. The 2019 third-round pick has flashed in his previous four years with Minnesota when asked to fill in for Cook, averaging 4.1 career yards per carry while also securing 70 of 84 targets for 526 yards. Ty Chandler and rookie seventh-round pick DeWayne McBride could also potentially earn weekly touches, though Kene Nwangwu mostly profiles as a special-teams option, leaving the Vikings without much in the way of proven depth behind Mattison. While the team could still add to the backfield ahead of Week 1, Mattison currently faces massive opportunity and is a lock to rocket up fantasy draft boards.

The Vikings and Mattison agreed to terms on a two-year contract Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mattison has played second fiddle to fellow running back Dalvin Cook for his entire four-year career, but the former has had a handful of chances to shine, starting six of his 59 appearances. Overall, Mattison has averaged just 4.1 yards per carry and scored 14 touchdowns, but he's also reeled in 70 of 84 targets for 526 yards, good for an 83.3 percent catch rate. There have been rumblings this offseason that the Vikings may be willing to part ways with Cook, so Mattison could benefit in 2023 if the structure of the team's backfield is altered in the coming months.

Mattison rushed 10 times for 54 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 29-13 win over the Bears.

EDGE Analysis

Mattison's season-best performance included a pair of one-yard touchdowns. With Minnesota opting to rest its starters during the second half, Mattison filled Dalvin Cook's lead tailback role to begin the third quarter. Once the Vikings take the field in the playoffs, however, Mattison should return to his usual backup job.

Mattison had eight carries for 38 yards and had one reception for seven yards in Sunday's loss at Green Bay.

EDGE Analysis

Mattison played 23 snaps on offense as he got more work once the game became a blowout. He could get significant time or even start Week 18 against the Bears if the Vikings decide to rest starters head of the playoffs.

Mattison rushed four times for 17 yards in Saturday's 27-24 win over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Mattison earned just a 21 percent offensive snap share in the contest, while Dalvin Cook played 79 percent of snaps at running back. With Cook healthy and playing well, Mattison has been nothing more than a handcuff for fantasy purposes seeing minimal involvement on offense. This should remain true as the Vikings visit the Packers in Week 17.