Who Should I Start? Kalel Mullings or Phil Mafah

Friday, September 26, 4:04 PM

The Tennessee Titans are placing rookie running back Kalel Mullings (ankle) on Injured Reserve due to an ankle injury, per ESPN's Turron Davenport. Mullings has been active for two games so far in 2025, but has yet to record an NFL carry. He will now be sidelined for at least the Titans' next four games and will be first eligible to return in Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts. Tennessee is activating running back Jordan Mims for their Week 4 matchup against the Houston Texans, but veteran back Tony Pollard should be expected to see a heavy workload. The Titans could soon get some backfield help in the form of Tyjae Spears (ankle), who is eligible to return from IR in Week 5.

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.