Who Should I Start? Kimani Vidal or Phil Mafah

Saturday, September 27, 8:14 PM

The Los Angeles Chargers elevated running back Kimani Vidal to the active roster on Saturday ahead of the Week 4 matchup with the Giants. Last season, the 24-year-old logged 43 carries for 155 yards, adding five catches (nine targets) for 62 yards and a touchdown. However, he hasn't appeared in a game for the Bolts through the first three weeks of the 2025 campaign. With Najee Harris (Achilles) done for the rest of the year, Omarion Hampton should see even more work out of the backfield. While Vidal could get some touches alongside Hassan Haskins in the Week 4 meeting with the New York Giants, that won't make him a reliable option in any fantasy format. For now, managers can keep Vidal out of the starting fantasy lineup and off the roster altogether.

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.