Who Should I Start? Alexander Mattison or Israel Abanikanda

Tuesday, August 12, 9:32 AM

Miami Dolphins running back Alexander Mattison (neck) was officially placed on injured reserve on Monday. Mattison injured his neck during a preseason game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday and later went for surgery. It was announced on Monday that he would miss the remainder of the year, with the team placing him on IR just as a procedural move to clear roster space. Mattison's absence will open up reps for second-year running back Jaylen Wright and rookie Ollie Gordon II behind starter De'Von Achane.

Monday, September 9, 7:44 PM

New York Jets running back Israel Abanikanda is a healthy scratch for the team's Week 1 regular-season opener at Levi's Stadium on Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers. Abanikanda enters the 2024 season as the team's RB4 behind starter and bell-cow Breece Hall and rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis. As such, the 21-year-old is obviously off the fantasy radar in most single-year leagues for the time being unless injuries push him into a relevant game-day role. The former fifth-round pick out of Pittsburgh last year was also buried on the depth chart in his rookie season and finished with 22 carries for 70 yards while catching seven passes for 43 yards in only six games. Abanikanda has breakaway speed but is once again buried on the depth chart and will have to wait for his opportunity beyond Week 1.