Raiders RB ‘deserves more reps’ after performance against Browns
Several Raiders backups shined Sunday in the team’s 20-16 win over the Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Some may earn a larger role as a result.
Running back Alexander Mattison could be one of those players. The 26-year-old had 60 rushing yards on five carries in the win, which led coach Antonio Pierce to say Monday that Mattison may become a more featured part of the Raiders’ offense.
“He deserves more reps,” Pierce said. “And he’s gonna get them.”
Mattison helped the Raiders gain a season-high 152 rushing yards Sunday. The team totaled just 153 yards on the ground its first three games.
What a larger workload for Mattison means for starter Zamir White is unclear. White ran for 397 yards in the Raiders’ final four games last season and was expected to be the team’s workhorse this year. But White has 152 rushing yards on 49 attempts through four games, an average of 3.1 yards per carry. He also had a fumble returned for a touchdown Sunday.
Mattison, on the other hand, has 87 yards on 17 rushing attempts for a 5.1 yards per carry average. He credited the Raiders’ offensive line for the team’s success Sunday and said the running backs focused on breaking more tackles.
“Yards after contact was something that we emphasized,” Mattison said.
No update on stars
The Raiders beat the Browns on Sunday despite stars Davante Adams and Maxx Crosby being injured.
The two may not be available for the team’s next game against the Broncos, either.
“As of right now, it’s status quo,” Pierce said.
Crosby missed the first game of his career Sunday with a high ankle sprain. Adams was out with a hamstring injury he suffered in practice last week. The Raiders will know more about the pair’s status when they return to practice Wednesday.
“It all depends on where they are, health-wise,” Pierce said.
Pierce also said second-year tight end Michael Mayer remains out for personal reasons.
Raiders diversify
The Raiders leaned on multiple players with Adams out.
Seven players had receptions and seven players ran the ball, including tight end Brock Bowers. Wide receivers Tre Tucker and DJ Turner each had rushing touchdowns.
“That’s what balance is,” quarterback Gardner Minshew said. “It’s not always run/pass, but how do you get all of your players touches?”
The Raiders want to make spreading the ball around a priority even when Adams returns.
“It has to be,” Pierce said. “It worked.”
Veteran impressed with youngsters
The Raiders called on a number of youngsters with six starters — Adams, Crosby, Mayer, right tackle Thayer Munford Jr., linebacker Divine Deablo and safety Marcus Epps — out against the Browns.
Tucker and Turner were two of the players that stepped up. So did safety Isaiah Pola-Mao, defensive end Charles Snowden and rookie offensive linemen DJ Glaze and Jackson Powers-Johnson.
Their veteran teammates were delighted by their effort.
“That was a lot of fun to be a part of yesterday. It was really a team effort and team win,” defensive tackle Christian Wilkins said. “We were counting on guys to step up and excel in their roles and give us a little bit more, and they were able to do that.”
Snowden came up with two massive plays on the Browns’ final possession. He batted down quarterback Deshaun Watson’s pass on second down and then sacked Watson on fourth down to seal the win.
“It’s the fall in Las Vegas, but it was snowing up in Allegiant last night,” Wilkins said. “Snowman did his thing obviously, closing the game out. That was awesome to see. It was a great moment for him because he puts in a lot of work.”
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.
