Not too long ago, Alexander Mattison was taking the field inside U.S. Bank Stadium as the No. 1 running back for the Minnesota Vikings. Now, Mattison's time in the NFL seems to be getting closer to the end despite the fact that the veteran running back is only 28-years-old.
After a neck injury prevented him from playing a snap with the Miami Dolphins last season, Mattison's name popped up in the news on Thursday when it was revealed by ESPN's Adam Schefter that the former Vikings running back tried out for the Houston Texans.
No update yet on whether Mattison is joining the Texans or not, but one would think that even if they don't end up signing him, another team will at least give him a shot to make their roster this summer.
Former Minnesota Vikings RB Alexander Mattison tries out for the Houston Texans
For those who haven't been following Mattison's career since he was released by the Vikings in 2024, the veteran running back spent the 2024 season with the Las Vegas Raiders, and he joined the Dolphins shortly after free agency began in 2025.
In 14 games with the Raiders (including seven starts), Mattison rushed for 420 yards and four touchdowns on 132 carries (3.2 average), in addition to hauling in 36 passes for 294 yards and another score. That season, his PFF offensive grade also ranked 42nd out of 47 qualifying running backs.
After his one year with Las Vegas, Mattison signed with the Dolphins in free agency, and he gave Miami fans some unexpected excitement during the early portion of the team's training camp last summer.
Unfortunately, Mattison suffered a neck injury in the Dolphins' first 2025 preseason game that was so concerning, he was immediately transferred to a nearby hospital.
With the former Minnesota running back trying out for the Texans on Thursday, it seems safe to say he has recovered from his neck injury, which is not only a positive for his pro football career, but also a positive for his general quality of life.
Minnesota Vikings set up Alexander Mattison to fail in 2023
Following the 2022 season, the Vikings made the decision to release longtime running back Dalvin Cook, which then opened the door for Mattison to become the team's new No. 1 option in the backfield.
Mattison had spent his entire first four years with Minnesota as Cook's top backup, and he even did a decent job when filling in as a starter multiple times during those four seasons. That was apparently enough to convince the Vikings to give him a shot to be their No. 1 running back in 2023.
During that 2023 season, however, Minnesota quickly learned that he was not RB1 material and that he was much more valuable as a No. 2 option. Although, one could argue that the Vikings should have already known this before even thinking about Mattison as a legit replacement for Cook.
In 16 games with Minnesota in 2023, he rushed for 700 yards and zero touchdowns on 180 carries (3.9 average). That's right: a 5-foot-11, 220-pound running back didn't sniff the end zone as the Vikings' starting running back, and not only that, but he gained a total of -7 yards on nine rushing attempts within the opposing five-yard line.
Mattison was a solid asset as a backup, change-of-pace type of back during his first few seasons with Minnesota, and that was completely fine. Not everyone has what it takes to be an RB1 in the NFL, and the Vikings found out the hard way in 2023.
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