Who Should I Start? Phil Mafah or LeQuint Allen Jr.

Wednesday, December 17, 4:56 PM

The Dallas Cowboys announced on Wednesday that they have opened the 21-day practice window for rookie running back Phil Mafah (shoulder). Mafah has missed his entire first season in the NFL so far due to a shoulder injury that landed him on Injured Reserve in August. The 23-year-old will return to practice this week, though, and he could be in play to join the Cowboys offense in the final three weeks of the season. The Clemson product would provide insurance in Dallas' backfield, but he probably wouldn't be anything more than the RB3 behind Javonte Williams and Malik Davis if he plays to close out the 2025 campaign. The Cowboys must officially activate Mafah from IR if they want him active this Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. Mafah had 1,115 rushing yards, 103 receiving yards, and eight total touchdowns in his final year in college in 2024.

Tuesday, December 16, 11:15 AM

Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back LeQuint Allen Jr. hasn't played a significant role this season behind Travis Etienne Jr. and fellow rookie Bhayshul Tuten, but he is likely to see an uptick in snaps with Tuten set to miss a few weeks with a finger injury that will require surgery. Allen handled five touches for 16 yards in the Week 15 blowout win over the New York Jets, his most since Week 11. The rookie seventh-rounder will step into the RB2 role behind Etienne and becomes an interesting deep-league option heading into the Week 16 game against the Denver Broncos on the road. His appeal is limited to deep leagues only, but he could have some standalone value with more touches likely coming his way.