The Dallas Cowboys achieved a 17-7 win against the Seattle Seahawks in their first preseason matchup, but the victory was marred by an injury to running back Phil Mafah. During the game, Mafah sustained a chest injury and was initially deemed questionable to return, but he was later ruled out.
Fortunately, early assessments indicate that the injury may not be severe. Mafah currently ranks third on the Cowboys' depth chart, following Javonte Williams and Jaydon Blue. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer commented on Mafah's status, saying, "I talked to him, and I think we came out okay, just a few bumps and bruises."
In addition to Mafah, safety Justin Barron also took a hit during the game. Schottenheimer mentioned that further evaluations would be conducted once the team returns to Oxnard for treatment.
Mafah, selected in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, is competing for a position on the final 53-man roster after a tough rookie season, where he appeared in just one game and had five carries totaling 18 yards and one touchdown.
In contrast, veteran running back Malik Davis had a strong performance against the Seahawks, with seven carries for 39 yards, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. As the Cowboys approach roster cuts, player health, especially Mafah's, will be closely monitored during the preseason.
