Sam Hodde/Getty
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 22: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on prior to the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Atlanta Falcons at AT&T Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
While many rookies are facing the wrong side of the roster bubble today and tomorrow, Dallas Cowboys rookie RB Phil Mafah is getting a different kind of bad news. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Mafah will be starting the season on Injured Reserve (IR). It’s not considered season-ending, but it a setback for the promising rookie runner.
NFL rules allow teams to put two players on IR before roster cuts are finalized, but designate them for returns during the season. Typically, if a player goes on IR before rosters are cut to 53 players, they are out for the entire season. However, this exception exists for two players whose injuries are not as severe, and this is the plan with Mafah. Fowler reports that the Cowboys are planning his mid-season return.
Phil Mafah Was Having a Great Preseason
Ronald Martinez/GettyINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 09: Phil Mafah #37 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half of a NFL Preseason 2025 at SoFi Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Preseason injuries always suck, especially when they happen to guys who were balling out pre-injury. Mafah totaled 15 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown across three games this preseason. His standing on the depth chart was a bit unclear, but he had potential to be a factor for the Cowboys this season.
In college, Mafah was a four-year player at Clemson. He was a significant contributor his first two seasons, totaling 166 carries for 807 and seven touchdowns, adding 16 receptions for 98 yards, but he really broke out as a junior. Across his final two years at Clemson, Mafah had 395 carries for 2,080 yards and 21 touchdowns, plus 42 catches for 208 yards. He was a primary engine for some pretty good Tigers offenses, and had some hype entering the NFL.
Running Back Depth Much Stronger for Dallas Cowboys This Season
Last year, running back was the downfall of the Cowboys offense (injuries aside). Even before QB Dak Prescott went down for the year, Dallas really struggled to run the ball. That should be less of an issue this year.
Javonte Williams was brought over from Denver to be the main ball-carrier. He’s a powerful downhill runner who can create a little and is a factor in the receiving game. Fifth-round rookie Jaydon Blue is a supreme speedster out of the backfield who adds some receiving versatility. Miles Sanders was signed away from Carolina to be a quality backup/insurance option back there, and second-year back Deuce Vaughn — son of a Dallas area scout — is a factor as well.
Where Mafah fit in there isn’t totally clear. There’s a chance he would’ve beaten out Vaughn or even Sanders, but he still might have been the fifth back on the depth chart. His roster spot was not guaranteed, but his injury allows the Cowboys to punt on that decision. They no longer have to make an immediate decision as to which running back they’ll cut, as they can “stash” Mafah on IR until he’s ready.
Ethan Woodie is an accomplished sports writer specializing in the NFL and college football for Heavy.com. He’s written for Heavy since 2025 and has years of experience writing for NFL Trade Rumors and Pro Football Focus (PFF). Woodie is an expert in draft scouting and his final 2025 Big Board was included in Arif Hasan’s media consensus board for Wide Left. More about Ethan Woodie
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