Vikings RB Alexander Mattison (ankle) was briefly on the practice field today during the portion open to reporters, but it did not appear he was participating. Also did not see RT Brian O'Neill (ankle). Not looking good for either of them to play Saturday on a short week.

Related Players: Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu

We should expect Ty Chandler to get a majority of the work here in Nick Mullens first start if Mattison ends up missing Saturday's game. That would make him an RB2 option for Week 15.

The Vikings are listing WR Justin Jefferson and RB Alexander Mattison as questionable for Sunday night vs. the Broncos.

Related Players: Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, T.J. Hockenson

Jefferson was trending in the right direction, but we were hoping for a full practice out of him on Friday. If he misses again, Addison and Hockenson should continue to control much of Joshua Dobbs' target share.

As for Mattison, Ty Chandler could be taking a heavy workload in his absence, making him a low-end RB2.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said running back Alexander Mattison suffered a concussion in Sunday's game versus the Saints.

Related players: Myles Gaskin, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu

The trend has been players sit out at least week after falling into concussion protocol, so Mattison owners may want to make alternate plans now. To complicate things, Mattison and the Vikings have the Sunday night game at Denver in Week 11. Chandler could see a bulk of the work and scored on a wildcat formation play in Week 10. The team has already signed Gaskin ahead of Week 11. Chandler could make for an interesting pickup this week if he's on your wire. It's a favorable matching against the Broncos.

Vikings running back Cam Akers will miss the rest of the season with a torn Achilles tendon.

That was believed to be the case as soon as Akers went down on Sunday, and it was confirmed by an MRI today, coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed today.

Related players: Alexander Mattison, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu

This is the second time Akers has torn his Achilles. He previously tore it in July of 2021 when he was with the Rams and made a remarkably quick recovery, getting back on the field for the final game of the regular season. But even if he can repeat that remarkably quick recovery this time, he won’t be at full speed until April, the story said. Akers was cutting into Mattison's time since getting up to speed after being traded. The RB2 job would seem to go back to Chandler, although the Vikings, sitting at 5-4, may very well bring in another back.

The Vikings are waiving rookie seventh-round pick RB DeWayne McBride, per source.

Related players: Alexander Mattison, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu

Those taking McBride in dynasty leagues this spring were probably hoping for a role in the Vikings backfield after the team released Dalvin Cook. McBride actually had a good summer and scored two preseason TDs, according to the post. But the Vikes are poised to give the RB1 job to Mattison with Chandler emerging as the team's RB2.

From the outset, Kevin O’Connell and the Minnesota Vikings staff are very committed to Alexander Mattison being the guy.

Related players: Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, DeWayne McBride

Silva's post quoted Connor Allen. Allen's post from a podcast went on to say that Mattison has also been active as a receiver. Mattison doesn't have much behind him on the depth chart either, and he's shaping up to be a make or break fantasy target at the RB spot. Our John Paulsen went on to break down Mattison's potential for 2023: With Dalvin Cook out of the way, Mattison has a great chance to finish as a fantasy RB1. In the 14 games that Mattison has seen at least 10 carries, he has averaged 18.1 touches for 88 yards and 0.57 touchdowns. The resulting 13.0 half-PPR points per game are about what Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones averaged as low-end RB1s in 2022. Even better–in his seven starts from 2020-21, he averaged 23.3 touches for 118 yards and 0.72 touchdowns per game. That production would have beaten out Saquon Barkley and Nick Chubb last season.

DeWayne McBride was always going to need time to learn the offense — protection responsibilities, the lengthy play calls, and even how to read certain runs. For that reason, he fell to the seventh round. The Vikings like his downhill running style, and it’s possible that the bevy of running backs on the market makes it easier for the Vikings to give him time to develop on the practice squad.

Related Players: Kene Nwangwu, Ty Chandler

It seems as though Kene Nwangwu has locked up the RB3 slot in Minnesota, with his ability to return kicks adding some flexibility to the roster spot. After Ty Chandler's fantastic showing through the preseason, Alexander Mattison is the only body in the way of extended playing time for Chandler.

A year ago, Chandler won a roster spot after leading the Vikings in preseason rushing yards; if he could show a broader set of skills in 2023, he might be able to win the team's No. 2 running back job.

Related Players: Kene Nwangwu, DeWayne McBride

Alexander Mattison is for sure slated for the RB1 job but it's a stretch to expect him to garner the type of workload Dalvin Cook held on to for years. Chandler could sneak into a third down role and start popping more on fantasy radars

Per Breer, "Another name to watch as a potential trade target this weekend would be Dalvin Cook. The Vikings have been communicative with their star tailback—and receptive to the idea of bringing him back—but it just won’t happen at the rate of $11 million he’s due this fall."

Related Players: Alexander Mattison, Kene Nwangwu

Breer goes on to say that the Vikings haven't shopped Cook, but if they land a running back in the first two days, Cook could be gone by the weekend. In this scenario, they will likely land a talent superior to that of Alexander Mattison, which hurts his value just as much as it helps. A third-round RB in Minnesota would be an immediate fantasy asset.

After the team announced starting tight end Irv Smith Jr. would miss the preseason with a thumb injury, starting running back Dalvin Cook left the practice field with what appeared to be a hand injury. He returned for one team snap and then sat out the rest of Tuesday's practice at TCO Performance Center.

Later, his backup, Alexander Mattison, also appeared to injure a finger on a play. He, too, watched the rest of practice from the sideline.

And a third running back, Kene Nwangwu, suffered what coach Kevin O'Connell called a "soft-tissue, lower-leg injury" on Monday. Nwangwu sat out Monday and Tuesday.

There wasn't any other information but hopefully the injuries aren't serious. Cook, of course, is ranked high among running backs in terms of fantasy value, and we have him sixth on our running back list.