The Dallas Cowboys achieved a 17-7 win against the Seattle Seahawks in their first preseason matchup, though the victory was marred by a chest injury to running back Phil Mafah. Initially listed as questionable to return, Mafah was later ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Fortunately, early assessments indicate that the injury may not be serious. Mafah currently ranks third on the Cowboys' depth chart, behind Javonte Williams and Jaydon Blue. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer commented on Mafah's status, saying, "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, a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is competing for a position on the final 53-man roster after a difficult rookie season in which he played only one game, tallying five carries for 18 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, veteran running back Malik Davis showcased his skills 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.