Report: Dolphins work out RB Jamaal Williams, lose Alexander Mattison for season

Free agent running back Jamaal Williams is working out with the Miami Dolphins as the team lost running back Alexander Mattison to season-ending neck surgery, ESPN reported Monday.

Mattison, 27, injured his neck after being tackled on a 21-yard pass play Sunday in a 24-24 tie with the Chicago Bears. He was taken in an ambulance to a local hospital where he underwent surgery.

He is reportedly expected to make a full recovery but is not expected to return this season.

Williams, 30, was released by New Orleans in March. He had signed a three-year, $12 million deal with the Saints after having a career season with the Detroit Lions in 2022, when he led the NFL in rushing touchdowns.

But his production was meager in 27 games (five starts) with New Orleans. Williams had just 470 rushing yards and two touchdowns and caught 27 passes for 119 yards.

Last season, Williams had 164 yards and one TD on the ground and nine receptions for 57 yards in 14 games (one start).

In 2022, Williams rushed for 1,066 yards and an NFL-high 17 rushing touchdowns with the Lions before becoming a free agent.

Williams has rushed for 4,122 yards and 32 touchdowns and caught 187 passes for 1,310 yards and eight TDs in 117 games (45 starts) with the Green Bay Packers (2017-20), Lions (2021-22) and Saints.

Mattison played in 14 games (seven starts) last season for the Las Vegas Raiders, rushing 132 times for 420 yards and four touchdowns. He also had 36 catches for 294 yards and one touchdown.

The Vikings' 2019 third-round draft pick out of Boise State, Mattison spent five seasons in Minnesota. In 89 career games (26 starts), he rushed 716 times for 2,790 yards and 15 touchdowns. He added 136 catches for 1,012 yards and seven scores.