Who Should I Start? Antonio Gibson or Phil Mafah

Monday, October 6, 10:53 PM

New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson (knee), who was quickly ruled out in the Sunday night win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 5, suffered a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the season, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport after Gibson had an MRI exam on Monday. It's a hit to New England's backfield the rest of the way. The 27-year-old will finish the 2025 campaign with 25 rushing attempts for 106 yards and one touchdown. He added two catches for six yards on three targets through the air. Gibson wasn't really a roster candidate in 12-team fantasy leagues, but he can now safely be dropped in deeper single-year formats. Terrell Jennings will likely be elevated from the practice squad to serve as the RB3 behind Rhamondre Stevenson and rookie TreVeyon Henderson. Gibson's injury gives Henderson a clearer path to an elevated backfield workload.

Wednesday, December 17, 4:56 PM

The Dallas Cowboys announced on Wednesday that they have opened the 21-day practice window for rookie running back Phil Mafah (shoulder). Mafah has missed his entire first season in the NFL so far due to a shoulder injury that landed him on Injured Reserve in August. The 23-year-old will return to practice this week, though, and he could be in play to join the Cowboys offense in the final three weeks of the season. The Clemson product would provide insurance in Dallas' backfield, but he probably wouldn't be anything more than the RB3 behind Javonte Williams and Malik Davis if he plays to close out the 2025 campaign. The Cowboys must officially activate Mafah from IR if they want him active this Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. Mafah had 1,115 rushing yards, 103 receiving yards, and eight total touchdowns in his final year in college in 2024.