Who Should I Start? DeeJay Dallas or Phil Mafah

Friday, August 29, 8:25 AM

The Carolina Panthers have signed running back DeeJay Dallas to their practice squad on Thursday. He quickly finds a new home after being released by the Arizona Cardinals earlier in the week. Dallas played in all 17 games with the Cardinals last season, but only rushed nine times for 49 yards while hauling in three receptions for 11 yards and one touchdown. The 26-year-old hasn't seen much of the field as a running back lately with only 19 carries over the last two seasons. He figures to mostly be used on special teams and serve as depth behind Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle.

Monday, January 5, 11:00 AM

Dallas Cowboys running back Phil Mafah got his first taste of NFL action in Week 18 against the New York Giants and finished the game with 29 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on seven touches. A seventh-round pick out of Clemson in the 2025 NFL draft, Mafah spent most of his rookie season on Injured Reserve with a shoulder injury. He got his chance to make an impression in Week 18 due to injuries to Cowboys running backs Javonte Williams (shoulder, neck) and Malik Davis (calf, eye). Heading into 2026, the Cowboys' running back room is in flux. Williams was the team's clear RB1 throughout the 2025 season, but he will hit free agency and is uncertain to be retained. Davis is also a free agent, though Dallas holds his restricted free agent rights. Depending on how the Cowboys choose to address the running back position this offseason, Mafah could find himself battling with 2025 fifth-rounder Jaydon Blue for a role in the Dallas backfield.