Just one day after clinching a big win against the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Giants made a move that’s got everyone buzzing: they’re reportedly scooping up former Cowboys running back Phil Mafah for their practice squad. Talk about making a statement right after a divisional clash, huh? This isn’t just any signing; it’s a direct grab from a rival, and it tells us a lot about what the Giants are thinking with their running back depth.
The Bruising Back’s Journey From Dallas to New York
So, who is Phil Mafah, and why should anyone care? Well, Mafah was Dallas’s seventh-round draft pick back in 2025. He’s a big, bruising back, checking in at 6-foot-1 and 232 pounds, known for doing his best work between the tackles. Sounds like the kind of guy who can grind out tough yards, doesn’t he?
His first year with the Cowboys in 2025 was tough, though. He was battling injuries, which is never easy for a rookie trying to make his mark. He only ended up appearing in one single game, and guess what? That game was Week 18, against these very same New York Giants! In that lone appearance, he toted the rock five times for 18 yards and snagged two catches for another 11 yards. Not exactly setting the world on fire, but it shows he got some game action against the team he’s now joining. This past offseason, he was competing hard for that Cowboys’ No. 2 running back spot, but ultimately, he couldn’t crack the 53-man roster. Now, he’s landed with the rival. Poetic, isn’t it?
Giants’ Backfield Gets Deeper, But There Are Questions
This signing is interesting, especially when you look at the Giants’ current running back situation. Before Mafah came on board, they didn’t have a single running back on their practice squad. That’s a pretty big hole in case injuries start piling up. On their 53-man roster, they’ve got Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy, Devin Singletary, and Najee Harris. That’s a solid group, but there’s an elephant in the room: Najee Harris was unexpectedly inactive in Week 1.
You have to wonder, right? When a player of Harris’s caliber is a healthy scratch, or if he’s quietly dealing with something, it raises eyebrows. The Giants haven’t confirmed any injury for Harris, but this move to bring in a physical back like Mafah to the practice squad definitely makes you speculate. It suggests the Giants want more depth and perhaps some insurance, especially given Mafah’s style of play and his experience.
What’s next? Mafah now gets a chance to impress on the practice squad. If the Giants need a power runner, or if one of their active backs goes down, he’s right there, ready to step up. It’s a low-risk, potentially high-reward move for New York, adding a player with NFL experience who’s already shown he can handle some carries. It’s clear the Giants are looking to build out their depth and keep all their options open as the season gets rolling.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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