Who Should I Start? C.J. Ham or Phil Mafah

Wednesday, February 12, 10:17 PM

Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham (ankle) had a "simple procedure" done on his ankle on Wednesday. Ham was on the team's injury report with an ankle injury toward the end of the 2024 season, but he didn't miss any games. The 31-year-old veteran fullback shouldn't face a lengthy recovery timeline after having a minor surgery on his ankle and should be able to take part in most of the team's offseason workouts. He will not be anywhere near the fantasy radar once again going into the 2025 campaign after seeing only two carries for 10 yards and one touchdown and adding five receptions on six targets for 35 yards through the air in 17 regular-season games in his eighth year with the Vikings in 2024. In his eight NFL seasons, Ham has only 39 rushing attempts for 114 yards and four TDs and has caught 82 passes for 670 yards and two TDs in 130 games played.

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.