Dallas Cowboys’ unexpected solution to a roster management problem is bittersweet for late-round rookie
The Cowboys rookie will have to wait for his turn.
UPDATE: After the publishing of this article ESPN’s Todd Archer reported Mafah is possibly starting on the 53-man roster for a day before being placed on Injured Reserve as the Cowboys are expected to use the two cutdown day IR spots on different players.
The Dallas Cowboys are expected to officially place rookie running back Phil Mafah on Injured Reserve due to a shoulder injury on Tuesday, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
By 4 p.m. ET, the Cowboys must finalize roster cuts to comply with the league’s 53-player limit and Mafah heading to IR opens up a spot. A recent NFL rule change allows teams to place two players designated to return from IR on cutdown day. The rookie will be one of those two.
On top of protecting an injured player, the move serves as an unexpected solution to a problem head coach Brian Schottenheimer faced: The Cowboys like Mafah’s upside but they seemingly like Miles Sanders’ (or Deuce Vaughn, we’ll know for sure when the initial roster is finalized) game readiness better. However, had they cut Mafah, the rookie would have headed to waivers where another team could have claimed him. The move was a surprise as the injury appears to have happened in the preseason finale.
Nevertheless, it’s a bittersweet solution for the running back. Despite showing serious promise in limited preseason action, starting the year on Injured Reserve means he will miss a minimum of four games. Realistically, barring any major injuries, he’s likely staying on IR well beyond that.
After all, though the Cowboys RB room is considered a weak unit across the NFL, the issue is at the top of the depth chart. They have depth and can afford to wait for Mafah. It was unlikely the seventh-round rookie would emerge as a starter anyway.
When he does return, Mafah’s balance will be fun to watch in the NFL regular season. The Clemson product was known for being a physical power coming out of college but he displayed more than that in the preseason, including vision and elusiveness, as the play above shows.
Mafah’s got a future in Dallas. He’ll just need to wait for it. So will Cowboys fans hoping to see him climb the depth chart.
Dallas Cowboys News
Dallas Cowboys roster cuts tracker 2025: Team kicks off path to 53-man roster ahead of Week 1 of the regular season (Update: Cuts done)
And we’re off.
