Who Should I Start? Travis Homer or Alexander Mattison

Thursday, October 19, 3:27 PM

Chicago Bears running back Travis Homer (hamstring) was upgraded to a full participant in practice on Thursday. Homer was injured in Week 5 and sat out of the Week 6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, but he's trending toward returning this Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. Khalil Herbert (ankle) is on Injured Reserve and rookie Roschon Johnson is still in the league's concussion protocol, so Homer could have an elevated role as a pass-catcher out of the backfield alongside D'Onta Foreman and Darrynton Evans this weekend if Johnson is inactive again. However, the 25-year-old is nothing more than a desperation flex play in PPR leagues with rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent likely to be leading Chicago's offense against the Raiders this week.

Monday, March 18, 6:02 PM

Former Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison is signing an undisclosed deal with the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, according to a source. Mattison is still only 25 years old and recorded 17 touchdowns in his five seasons in Minnesota after they took him in the third round in the 2019 draft out of Boise State. The 25-year-old was a disappointment in 2023 while taking over the lead-back role from Dalvin Cook, though, which is why Mattison was released this offseason. In 16 games (13 starts) last year, Mattison had a career-high 180 carries for 700 yards (3.9 yards per carry) and no rushing touchdowns while adding 30 catches for 192 yards and three touchdowns. Josh Jacobs is no longer in Vegas, but Mattison figures to work in a timeshare with Zamir White in his first year in Sin City in 2024.