Alexander Mattison's season-ending neck injury redefines Miami's backfield. De’Von Achane remains the centerpiece, with Jaylen Wright and rookie Ollie Gordon II providing depth behind him. The Dolphins added Aaron Shampklin and Mike Boone to test veteran options, signaling a shift toward experienced relief behind Achane as the starter absorbs a heavier workload. Shampklin, Harvard alum with Steelers ties, brings a quirky path to the league, while Boone offers 72-game, four-team familiarity. In fantasy terms, expect Achane to carry a bigger share, Wright to operate as a solid complementary piece, and Boone/Shampklin to mix in on passing downs and short-yardage as the Dolphins navigate Week 1 and beyond.

The roster churn underscores the volatility of RB depth in the NFL. Mattison’s exit leaves a gap that the Dolphins are filling with veteran experimentation rather than immediate star power. Wright’s role could stabilize as the clear #2, but the true upside resides in Achane’s expanded touches and the team's willingness to lean on him in early-down and goal-line situations. Shampklin’s Harvard arc and Boone’s career resume add intrigue for late-roster bets and weekly DFS pivots while Miami maps a plan to stay balanced without sacrificing explosiveness.

Miami is adding Aaron Shampklin to its backfield, signing the Harvard alum after Alexander Mattison’s neck injury ends his season. Shampklin appeared in three Steelers games last year, totaling 17 yards on six carries, but has spent time on multiple practice squads and spent 2024 with Pittsburgh. Miami faces a crowded RB room with De'Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, and Ollie Gordon II, making a 53-man roster decision likely to hinge on special teams value and depth beyond the top trio.

Shampklin’s best path may be a practice-squad or depth contributing role, while veteran Jamaal Williams drew a workout on Monday, signaling the Dolphins are looking for both insurance and experience behind the rookie speed duo. Fantasy angles center on how Miami splits snaps behind Achane and Wright, and whether Williams or Shampklin can carve a meaningful Week 1 role if injuries persist or roster moves shift before the season starts.

Alexander Mattison’s season-ending neck surgery rocks the Miami Dolphins’ backfield just as De’Von Achane and Jaylen Wright were primed for increased opportunities. Mattison, signed to a one-year deal, was third on the depth chart behind Achane and Wright. Miami is bringing Jamaal Williams in for a tryout, signaling the team is looking to stabilize depth quickly. The injury occurred in a preseason play against Chicago, with Mattison already a Raiders and Vikings veteran who has rushed for 2,790 yards and 15 touchdowns in his career and hauled in 1,012 yards on 136 receptions. Fantasy players should brace for a bigger early-down role for Achane, with Wright stepping into more of a change-up and third-down workload, while Williams remains a potential external addition.

Miami’s immediate concern shifts to maintaining productive volume behind Achane, whose speed and burst are fantasy catalysts when touches arrive. Wright’s versatility could unlock more set concepts and third-down plays, increasing both players’ floors in standard and PPR formats. The Bears preseason game provided the backdrop for Mattison’s exit, opening doors for the Dolphins to optimize their committee and protect Achane’s long-term usage. As Williams eyes a possible payday in Miami, the team is signaling they’ll push for a quick fix to the depth chart while navigating potential in-season adjustments.

Alexander Mattison's neck injury in the Dolphins’ first 2025 preseason game against Chicago ends his season after emergency surgery, prompting Miami to audition veteran Jamaal Williams. Williams, noted for finishing 2022 with 17 rushing TDs, could provide instant short-yardage and goal-line value if signed. The move signals a shift in Miami’s backfield, with the organization weighing veteran depth against a potential committee role for younger backs already in camp.

Fantasy managers should monitor the Dolphins’ roster moves closely. If Williams lands in Miami, he could become a high-upside flier in early-season drafts, especially in TD-heavy formats, while Mattison’s absence could depress overall running back upside in the short term. The situation also heightens the intrigue around Miami’s camp battles and how the team compartments carries and red-zone opportunities in the early weeks.

Chicago Bears audition Jamaal Williams at a weekend workout, aiming to add a familiar, physical option to a backfield that needs a true goal-line presence. Williams, who has long tangled with Bears lore and coaching staff, could slot in as a short-yardage hammer if he signs. His 2022 Detroit run was a career peak—1,066 yards and 17 touchdowns—before a Saints stint that yielded modest totals and an offseason release. The potential reunion with Lions coach Ben Johnson helped Williams flourish, and a signing would immediately reshape Chicago’s backfield dynamics, especially alongside D'Andre Swift, who the article notes now wears Bears colors. The Bears are still chasing a reliable short-yardage option, and Williams fits the mold, offering TD upside and veteran steadiness for fantasy managers eyeing late-round depth.

From a fantasy lens, Williams’ fit is as a high-floor, TD-friendly depth piece who could push Swift for touches in short downs. If he signs, expect a committee with Williams siphoning goal-line looks and Swift handling most of the receiving work and longer early-down duties. The move would also influence how leagues value Swift in red-zone and all-purpose scoring. Williams’ availability, familiarity with the staff, and the Bears’ search for a backfield answer converge to create a tangible late-round upside play for rosters hungry for TDs.