Phil Mafah’s Return Could Shape the Cowboys’ Future Backfield Plans
Phil Mafah hasn’t taken a single snap in a regular-season game for the Dallas Cowboys, but that could change soon-and the timing couldn’t be more important. The rookie running back, sidelined all year with a shoulder injury, has officially entered his 21-day practice window. And while there’s no guarantee he suits up against the Chargers this Sunday, the Cowboys would be wise to give him a long look over the final stretch of the season.
Let’s be clear: Mafah isn’t just some late-round flier. The seventh-round pick out of Clemson showed real flashes in the preseason before re-injuring the same shoulder that required surgery late in his college career.
In limited action, he totaled 74 yards and a touchdown on 17 touches. But it wasn’t just the numbers-it was how he got them.
Mafah forced three missed tackles, churned out 40 yards after contact, and averaged 2.7 yards per attempt post-contact. That kind of physicality and vision doesn’t go unnoticed.
He also showed a willingness to block in passing situations, which is a big deal for a rookie. That’s the kind of trait that gets you on the field and keeps you there. If he’s healthy, Mafah has a real shot to carve out a role-not just now, but long-term.
And the Cowboys need clarity at running back. Javonte Williams, the team’s current lead back, has been a workhorse this season with 230 carries for 1,113 yards and 10 touchdowns.
He’s been everything Dallas could’ve hoped for. The problem?
He’s on a one-year deal. And with wide receiver George Pickens also due for a contract extension, the front office may be forced to make some tough financial decisions.
That’s where Mafah comes in. If he can show even a glimpse of what he brought to the table at Clemson-where he racked up nearly 2,900 yards and 28 touchdowns over four seasons, including a career-best 1,115 yards and eight scores as a senior-he could offer the Cowboys a cost-effective answer in the backfield.
From a cap standpoint, it’s a no-brainer. Mafah is locked into a rookie deal that pays him just over $4 million through the end of 2028, with a base salary of $1.005 million in 2026.
That’s a bargain in today’s NFL, especially for a team projected to be nearly $48 million over the 2026 salary cap. That kind of flexibility could allow Dallas to shift resources toward fixing a defense that’s been leaking points-31.8 per game since Week 12, to be exact, ranking second-worst in the league over that span.
The Cowboys have big decisions to make this offseason. But before they get there, they need to gather as much information as possible.
That includes finding out what they really have in Phil Mafah. The final three games of the season could offer just enough runway for him to prove he belongs-and maybe even reshape the team’s plans at running back heading into 2026.
For a franchise facing both roster and cap pressure, Mafah’s return isn’t just a feel-good story. It’s a potential pivot point.