Miami Dolphins tailback Alexander Mattison left Sunday’s preseason game against the Chicago Bears with what appears to be a head/neck injury.
Mattison sustained the injury in the third quarter when he was tackled by Bears safety Tysheem Johnson. Mattison was tackled in a way that resulted in him falling on his head at the conclusion of a reception from rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers, which put the Dolphins on the 3-yard line of a drive that ended with Ollie Gordon II scoring a 1-yard touchdown that put Miami ahead 21-17.
Mattison had been Miami’s second most-impressive tailback in training camp, and was pushing Jaylen Wright for his role as De’Von Achane’s primary backup.
He already opened up the game’s scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run, and the 21-yard reception he got hurt on was one of the more impressive offensive plays of the game.
Mattison, a seven-year veteran, walked off the field on his own, but if the injury is serious it could could force the Dolphins to add another tailback to the training camp roster.
If Mattison were unable to practice during next week’s two joint practices against the Detroit Lions the Dolphins would likely be forced to sign another tailback to the 53-man roster.
Achane, Wright, Mattison and Gordon are the only four tailbacks on the training camp roster.
Nate Noel, a rookie free agent who was on the roster with Miami during camp’s first week, recently signed with the Indianapolis Colts.
Jeff Wilson Jr., who spent the past three seasons with the Dolphins, was a free agent until Sunday when he signed with the San Francisco 49ers.