Vikings DT Harrison Phillips said Thursday that he'd "buy stock in Chandler if I could," Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports. It sounds like Chandler made a strong impression at spring practices, perhaps increasing his chances to have a key role off the bench behind new starting running back Aaron Jones. Chandler mostly played special teams throughout the first half of last season, but he eventually became the No. 2 running back and later started the final four weeks, averaging 11.8 carries for 52.4 yards (4.5 YPC) and 2.0 catches for 14.5 yards over the final eight games of the season (with three TDs). That makes him a clear favorite for the No. 2 RB job ahead of Myles Gaskin and DeWayne McBride, though it isn't clear how many snaps and touches the role will entail. Jones' history of injuries -- namely five MCL sprains since entering the NFL -- suggests Chandler has a good chance to make starts this season if the Vikings don't add a more experienced backup before Week 1.
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Vikings DT Harrison Phillips said Thursday that he'd "buy stock in Chandler if I could," Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports. It sounds like Chandler made a strong impression at spring practices, perhaps increasing his chances to have a key role off the bench behind new starting running back Aaron Jones. Chandler mostly played special teams throughout the first half of last season, but he eventually became the No. 2 running back and later started the final four weeks, averaging 11.8 carries for 52.4 yards (4.5 YPC) and 2.0 catches for 14.5 yards over the final eight games of the season (with three TDs). That makes him a clear favorite for the No. 2 RB job ahead of Myles Gaskin and DeWayne McBride, though it isn't clear how many snaps and touches the role will entail. Jones' history of injuries -- namely five MCL sprains since entering the NFL -- suggests Chandler has a good chance to make starts this season if the Vikings don't add a more experienced backup before Week 1.
Chandler is poised to back up Aaron Jones, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Chandler briefly stood atop Minnesota's depth chart following the release of Alexander Mattison, but the addition of a veteran with true three-down capabilities in Jones likely returns him to a complementary role. That said, the 29-year-old Jones has battled injuries in recent years, playing just 11 games in 2023, while Chandler flashed some upside in limited opportunities last season while averaging 4.5 YPC. He remains an interesting stash for fantasy purposes, though the Vikings could also add further depth to their backfield in free agency or the draft.
Chandler is projected to serve as the Vikings' top running back after Alexander Mattison was released Thursday, Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Mattison accounted for 180 carries in 2023, while Chandler played a complementary role with 102. Chandler showed flashes of brilliance with the ball in his hands, tallying three rushes of over 20 yards while averaging 4.5 yards per carry. For now, it appears that Chandler will be set for a bigger role in 2024, though the Vikings will almost certainly add to their backfield either through the draft or free agency.
Despite sustaining a concussion in last Sunday's win over New Orleans, Mattison was able to clear the five-step protocol relatively quickly. Though he took a questionable tag into the weekend, Mattison was a full practice participant Friday, and he appears to have received clearance from an independent neurologist to return to game action this Sunday. Though Mattison has operated as the Vikings' lead back all season, he's yet to score a touchdown as a runner and is averaging a lowly 3.5 yards per carry on 130 totes. Even before missing most of the final two quarters of last week's win, Mattison had been ceding some work to Chandler, who saw his role expand after No. 2 option Cam Akers sustained a season-ending Achilles tear the previous week. With 15 carries for 45 yards and no targets in the passing game against New Orleans, Chandler wasn't particularly efficient with his opportunities, though he did convert on a goal-line carry for a second-quarter touchdown.
Alexander Mattison (concussion) was forced from the game early in the third quarter, though Chandler saw plenty of opportunity prior to Mattison's exit. At the close of the first half, Chandler had five rushing attempts to Mattison's four, and he also found his way into the end zone on a two-yard run in the second quarter. The only downside was Chandler's lack of involvement as a pass catcher, but he appears to have a role in the Minnesota backfield even if Mattison returns in time for a Week 11 matchup at Denver.
With Akers now set to miss the remainder of the season, Chandler finds himself positioned as Minnesota's number two running back going into Week 10. He's gotten just 13 touches through nine games so far this season, returning 85 yards from scrimmage on those opportunities.