Secure as top man in backfield

Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said Wednesday that McCormick will start Monday's game against the Falcons, even if Alexander Mattison (ankle) is cleared to play, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

Pierce said Mattison will "probably" return from his three-game absence this week, but McCormick appears to have earned the lead role after performing well since Week 12. During the past three contests, McCormick has carried 32 times for 175 yards (5.5 YPC) to go with four catches for 12 yards, with his efficiency on the ground far surpassing what Mattison has provided this season when healthy (3.3 YPC on 97 totes over 10 games). With Mattison and Ameer Abdullah primed to fill backup roles out of the backfield and Zamir White (quadricep) on injured reserve, McCormick will look to string together a few more quality appearances to close out the 2024 season with the hope of entering 2025 with a meaningful role.