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.

Sunday, August 31, 4:05 PM

Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Phil Mafah (shoulder) has been placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least the first four games of the regular season with a shoulder injury suffered in the preseason finale. The seventh-round pick out of Clemson showed flashes in the preseason with 15 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown, good for a solid 3.9 yards per carry. Standing six-foot and weighing 234 pounds, Mafah's big-bodied, between-the-tackles style was impressive in his final college season, rushing for 1,115 yards and eight touchdowns. His placement on IR is a setback, but with the Cowboys' current running back situation, a potential revolving door of Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, and Jaydon Blue, Mafah remains a potential contributor later in the season. He is worth a roster spot in deeper dynasty leagues. Still, his fantasy value will stay uncertain until he returns to full health and the backfield situation becomes clearer throughout the season.