The Dallas Cowboys secured a 17-7 victory against the Seattle Seahawks in their first preseason game, but the win was overshadowed by a new injury to running back Phil Mafah. Mafah suffered a chest injury during the game and was initially listed as questionable to return but was later ruled out.
Fortunately, early indications suggest that Mafah's injury is not serious. He is currently positioned third on the Cowboys' depth chart, trailing behind Javonte Williams and Jaydon Blue. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer provided an update on 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 experienced a hit during the game. Schottenheimer noted that the team would assess the players further after returning to Oxnard for treatment.
Mafah, who was drafted in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, is vying for a spot on the final 53-man roster after a challenging rookie season where he played only one game, recording five carries for 18 yards and a touchdown.
In contrast, veteran running back Malik Davis made a strong impression against the Seahawks, recording seven carries for 39 yards, averaging 5.5 yards per carry.
