Who Should I Start? Alexander Mattison or Frank Gore Jr.

Saturday, December 21, 2:52 AM

Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (neck) is expected to play in Week 16, when his team will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars. We're just a few games away from finally wrapping up the rollercoaster of misery that has been the Raiders backfield in 2024. With RB Zamir White (quad) still on injured reserve and Sincere McCormick (ankle) out for the season, it looks like Mattison will split touches with fellow RB Ameer Abdullah. It's hard to say which one will out-snap the other, but having watched the Raiders this season, it will probably be some kind of committee. We don't expect Mattison to have a ton of fantasy value, as it appears Abdullah is the better pass-catcher, and neither will have a ton of TD upside. The former Minnesota Viking should probably be left on the bench.

Monday, October 14, 6:10 PM

The Buffalo Bills elevated rookie running back Frank Gore Jr. from the practice squad to the 53-man active roster for Monday night's divisional showdown against the New York Jets. This could be a sign that James Cook (toe), who was listed as questionable to play in Week 6, may not be available to play on Monday night. But the Bills could also be electing for extra backfield depth behind Cook, Ty Johnson and rookie Ray Davis. Fantasy managers should know Cook's official status for Monday's primetime contest in another hour. The 22-year-old Gore hasn't played at all through the first five weeks of his rookie season in the NFL after going undrafted out of Southern Miss. At best, Gore could see some short-yardage work for Buffalo whenever he makes his NFL debut, but he can be ignored in all single-year fantasy formats for the time being.