Dolphins’ running back room rocked by sudden setback after scary moment in Chicago — and a roster detail points to urgency mounting to pivot fast

Alexander Mattison is now out for the year and the numbers say Miami needs to move quickly to pivot.

Kyle Crabbs — NFL National Writer

Aug 11, 2025 12:37 PM EDT

The Miami Dolphins are looking to get their groove back on the ground in 2025. Miami has invested heavily into the trenches and overhauled the running back room behind third-year standout Devon Achane in an effort to find more juice and consistency running the football. The hope, of course, is that Miami can enjoy the trickle down effects of being more balanced in order to bring explosive plays back into the mix.

The offensive line will hold a big role in that effort. But the backs themselves have a key role to play — particularly when the team is seeking out conversions to keep their offense on the field. Short-yardage issues reared their head in Miami’s preseason opener against the Chicago Bears after they were littered across the 2024 campaign.

One of the potential solutions to that problem for Miami is sadly done for the year, per multiple reports this afternoon.

Dolphins running back Alexander Mattison undergoes season-ending neck surgery

Veteran running back Alexander Mattison was one of the team’s more promising reclamation stories through the first three weeks of training camp. A veteran rusher who had spent five years in Minnesota before playing for the Raiders in 2024, Mattison looked like a consistent runner with some surprising pop and juice. His preseason debut in Miami included a one-yard touchdown run against Chicago. But that came before a scary moment that left Mattison shaken on the field after an awkward landing near the goal line.

Mattison would eventually get up and walk off the field under his own power. Head coach Mike McDaniel stated that he was dealing with “neck and shoulder soreness” in the postgame press conference. Yet according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Mattison was transported to a local hospital via ambulance and underwent neck surgery last night. He is now out for the season but is, thankfully, expected to make a full recovery.

It’s just brutal luck for Mattison, who appeared to be well on his way to earning the trust of this coaching staff for a prominent complementary role. That opportunity will now be passed down to sixth-round rookie Ollie Gordon II and, potentially a new free agent addition. The Dolphins are reportedly hosting free agent running back Jamaal Williams on a workout today in Detroit.

Here’s hoping we see Mattison back at full strength next summer. But for Miami, you can’t hit pause amid an injury — the show is set to go on. With just three running backs now on the 90-man roster, expect the Dolphins to announce a backfield signing sooner rather than later. The wear and tear of just three running backs, two of which should be expected to carry prominent roles in 2025, throughout practices in the days ahead feels like a disaster waiting to happen. The challenges could come with overworking runners or, in a worst case scenario, another injury.

So given the math of who Miami does and doesn’t have at their disposal, another running back addition is all but a formality. The only question is who will get the call.