Alexander Mattison

Vikings Snap Counts: Rookie Mattison makes most of limited playing time

Published Sep. 9, 2019 2:48 p.m. ET

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Alexander Mattison's NFL debut consisted of just 12 plays, but the rookie running back made them count.

Mattison was on the field for just a dozen of the Minnesota Vikings' snaps on offense during their Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons, rushing nine times for 49 yards behind starter Dalvin Cook.



Mattison did most of his damage on a pair of big gains in the first half, picking up 23 yards on the final play of the first quarter. He came up just short of a touchdown on the Vikings' third possession, scampering out of bounds at the 1-yard line.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins scored two plays later, as the Vikings opened up a 21-0 lead.

Fellow running backs Ameer Abdullah and Mike Boone played sparingly. Abdullah logged just four snaps, while Boone had two.

A third-round pick out of Boise State, Mattison was one of just three FBS running backs to rack up 300-plus carries last season, finishing with 1,415 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns.

Other notes:

-- Safeties Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris were the only players to appear on all 78 of the Vikings' defensive snaps.

-- The Vikings' rebuilt offensive line made it through Week 1 intact. Left tackle Riley Reiff, left guard Pat Elflein, center Garrett Bradbury, right guard Josh Kline and right tackle Brian O'Neill played on all of the offensive snaps.

-- Outside of Cousins and the offensive line, tight end Kyle Rudolph was the only other member of the offense to play on all 53 snaps.

-- Meanwhile, rookie tight end Irv Smith Jr. appeared on just 26 snaps.

-- Cornerback Mackensie Alexander played just 21 snaps on defense, exiting in the first half with an elbow injury.

-- Wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who was listed as questionable for Sunday's game with a hamstring injury, was on the field for 32 of the Vikings' 53 offensive snaps.

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

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Alexander Mattison

Minnesota Vikings