The Dallas Cowboys face a pivotal moment as the NFL roster deadline looms, with tough choices in their running back room coming into sharp focus. Friday’s preseason finale offered little clarity on the competition, as rookie Phil Mafah didn’t see the field until the second half. However, the real bombshell dropped before the game: veteran running back Miles Sanders was sidelined with a shoulder injury sustained in practice, a revelation from head coach Brian Schottenheimer that could seal Sanders’ fate with the team.
This latest injury comes on the heels of Sanders missing two weeks of camp due to a knee bruise, piling onto an already underwhelming preseason performance. With just seven carries for 15 yards and two missed games, Sanders’ case for a roster spot is crumbling. The Cowboys now have a golden opportunity to prioritize youth and potential over a veteran whose best days may be behind him.
Early in training camp, Sanders showed flashes of the dynamic play that made him a second-round pick, but his momentum fizzled. Meanwhile, the Cowboys have leaned heavily on Javonte Williams, who’s been a healthy scratch throughout the preseason—a clear sign of his cemented role in the backfield. Sanders’ latest injury only underscores the team’s preference for younger, healthier options.
Enter Phil Mafah, the rookie from Clemson who’s quietly making a case for himself. In limited action during the preseason finale, Mafah showcased his potential with impressive contact balance and a fourth-quarter touchdown. While he may not be ready to shoulder a heavy workload as a rookie, his upside is undeniable, and the Cowboys are keenly aware of the risk of losing him to waivers. At just 28 years old, Sanders carries only $1.197 million in guaranteed money, making him a low-risk cut. His age and injury history make it unlikely that another team will rush to claim him, increasing the odds he could return to Dallas’ practice squad if unclaimed.
The decision to cut Sanders isn’t just about his lackluster performance—it’s about securing Mafah’s future with the team. While Sanders might slot in as the RB3 in what’s arguably the NFL’s weakest backfield, his injury-prone campaign and lack of recent production (he hasn’t been a significant factor since 2022) make him expendable. In contrast, Mafah’s brief but promising flashes suggest he could develop into a valuable asset, even if he’s a healthy scratch for Week 1.
First-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer faces a dilemma: stick with the veteran reliability of Sanders or bet on the potential of a rookie like Mafah. The smart money is on youth. Sanders’ injury history and minimal preseason output give Dallas the perfect excuse to move on. If another team does claim Sanders, the Cowboys can scour the waiver wire for a replacement from the slew of running backs set to be cut league-wide over the next few days.
Cutting a veteran like Sanders is never easy, but the Cowboys are playing the long game. Protecting Mafah from being poached on waivers is the priority, and Sanders’ latest injury only solidifies the case for his release. As the roster deadline approaches, Dallas has a chance to reshape its backfield with an eye toward the future, banking on the potential of a rookie who’s already turning heads. For a team looking to rebuild its running game, this is a gamble worth taking.