Dolphins lose key running back for season

Mattison rushed three times for eight yards and a touchdown before suffering the injury.

Losing the five-foot-11, 220-pound running back is a big blow to the Dolphins' backfield before the regular season. The physical back provided Miami with some much-needed strength for short distances and goal line situations.

Earlier this summer, Tyreek Hill argued that the Dolphins needed to get the ball to more powerful rushers this season on third down, suggesting that De'Von Achane, who is more of an explosive runner, didn't have the motor for those situations.

Mattison, a third-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2019, has appeared in 89 games, rushing for 2,790 yards and 15 touchdowns in his first six seasons in the league. He's added 1,012 receiving yards and seven touchdowns during that span. 

The veteran running back was third on the depth chart behind Achane and Jaylen Wright. His injury opens up opportunities for rookie sixth-round pick Ollie Gordon to have more carries in third-down and goal line situations.