Who Should I Start? Audric Estime or Phil Mafah

Wednesday, August 27, 5:32 PM

The Philadelphia Eagles signed former Denver Broncos running back Audric Estime to their practice squad on Wednesday, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Estime was on the open market after failing to make the Broncos' 53-man roster in a backfield that includes rookie RJ Harvey, veteran J.K. Dobbins, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie. In Philadelphia, he'll start on the practice squad for the reigning Super Bowl champions while providing depth behind Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley and AJ Dillon. He's still very young at 21 years old and was selected in the fifth round (147th overall) last year out of Notre Dame. Estime got a little bit of run in his first NFL season with Denver, carrying the ball 76 times for 310 yards (4.1 yards per carry) and two touchdowns in 13 regular-season games (one start). He can be avoided in all fantasy leagues for now.

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.