Phil Mafah won’t suit up Week 1 - here’s what it means for Dallas
Running back Phil Mafa will miss the first four weeks of the Dallas Cowboys’ season after the team placed him on Injured Reserve, but there is a catch.
With the NFL regular season less than two weeks away, the Dallas Cowboys will be without rookie running back Phil Mafah to start the 2025 season, as the fan-favorite has been placed on injured reserve.
Cowboys rookie running back’s season put on hold…for now
The Cowboys will kick off the 2025 NFL season with a road game against their NFC East rivals and last year’s Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles. Their running back room leading up to that date unfortunately didn’t become much clearer than before the preseason. But Mafah was one back who impressed. The rookie put up 59 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
#Cowboys are keeping Phil Mafah….just on injured reserve.
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) August 25, 2025
I could see a scenario play out where the team sees what they have in one of the veterans for a few weeks, and then make the call up of Mafah if one doesn’t produce.#massagingtheroster https://t.co/lmq1HUWxUA
Now, however, Mafah is set to miss not only the season opener against the Eagles, but the next three games after that as well. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, however, the move comes with a designation to return, meaning Mafah could rejoin the team by Week 5.
The seventh-round pick earned fan support as he outperformed veteran Miles Sanders in perception. While Mafah’s setback temporarily opens a roster spot for others like Deuce Vaughn or Malik Davis, he’s expected to return later this year as one of Dallas’s two IR return designations.
Fellow rookie running back Jaydon Blue missed the first two preseason games with an ankle injury. He was able to play in the finale, but had to leave early thanks to his injury. On Monday, however, he was already back on the practice field.
Here’s how the Dallas Cowboys’ running back depth chart looks now:
- Javonte Williams
- Miles Sanders (Q)
- Jaydon Blue (Q)
- Deuce Vaughn
- Phil Mafah (IR)
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