The Dallas Cowboys achieved a 17-7 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in their first preseason matchup, but the win was marred by an injury to running back Phil Mafah. Mafah sustained a chest injury during the game, initially being listed as questionable before being ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
Fortunately, early assessments indicate that the injury may not be serious. Mafah currently ranks third on the Cowboys' depth chart, following Javonte Williams and Jaydon Blue. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer provided reassurance regarding Mafah's condition, stating, "Yeah, he's okay, I talked to him. I think we came out okay, a little bumps and bruises."
In addition to Mafah, safety Justin Barron also faced a hit during the game. Schottenheimer mentioned that the team would evaluate the players further upon returning to Oxnard for treatment.
Mafah, drafted in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, is competing for a position on the final 53-man roster after a difficult rookie season, where he played only one game, tallying five carries for 18 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, veteran running back Malik Davis stood out with seven carries for 39 yards, averaging 5.5 yards per carry.
As roster cuts approach, the Cowboys will continue to monitor the health of their players, especially Mafah.
