Israel Abanikanda - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Back on Cowboys' practice squad The Cowboys signed Abanikanda to the practice squad Thursday.

Impact Abanikanda has been on and off the Cowboys' practice squad of late. He was signed to the active roster ahead of the 28-20 loss to the Giants in Week 1, though he didn't make an appearance before being waived Tuesday. There's a chance Abanikanda could suit up for the Cowboys again this season, but he's not expected to be much of a contributor.

SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Cowboys waiving Israel Abanikanda confirms their belief in Tyler Goodson The Dallas Cowboys waived Israel Abanikanda after signing him to the active roster, confirming their conviction in new running back Tyler Go...

SEPTEMBER 16 • THELANDRYHAT.COM

Cut loose by Dallas Abanikanda was waived by the Cowboys on Tuesday.

Impact Abanikanda was signed from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, but he did not appear in Sunday night's 28-20 loss to the Giants. The running back will now be placed on waivers, and if he goes unclaimed, there's a strong chance he returns to the practice squad with Dallas. In a corresponding move, running back Tyler Goodson was signed to the Cowboys' active roster Tuesday after opening the 2026 season as a member of the Falcons' practice squad.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Cowboys Week 1 inactives: Israel Abanikanda a surprise healthy scratch Dallas Cowboys fans will have to wait to see Israel Abanikanda make his debut, as he is a healthy scratch for Week 1 against the New York Gi...

SEPTEMBER 14 • THELANDRYHAT.COM

Cowboys place Malik Davis on IR with hip injury and sign Israel Abanikanda off practice squad

The Dallas Cowboys have placed running back Malik Davis on injured reserve after he sustained a hip injury in practice

SEPTEMBER 12 • Associated Press

Dallas Cowboys Sign Practice Squad RB To Replace Malik Davis Malik Davis was officially signed to the IR and the Dallas Cowboys added Israel Abanikanda to the active roster.

SEPTEMBER 12 • SI.COM

Signs with active roster The Cowboys signed Abanikanda from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Impact Abanikanda joined up with the Cowboys' practice squad after being waived by the team on Aug. 30. The running back will now get a shot at a depth role on the active roster due to the placement of Malik Davis (hip) on IR. Javonte Williams and Emari Demercado will likely see most of the offensive action, but Abanikanda could acquire a few carries alongside a moderate special teams workload.

SEPTEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Cowboys running back Malik Davis needs surgery on hip, AP source says

A person with knowledge of the details says Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis needs surgery on the hip he injured in practice Friday and is headed for injured reserve

SEPTEMBER 11 • Associated Press

Remaining with Dallas Abanikanda signed a practice-squad contract with the Cowboys on Tuesday.

Impact Abanikanda was with Dallas during training camp in played in all three of the team's preseason games, rushing 22 times for 91 yards while catching three of four targets for 16 yards. He was cut Sunday but cleared waivers and will stay with the Cowboys as part of the practice squad. Abanikanda hasn't logged a regular-season NFL snap since 2023, when he appeared in six contests for the Jets and rushed 22 times for 70 yards.

SEPTEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Cowboys twist the knife on Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah after brutal cuts The Dallas Cowboys twisted the knife on Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah after keeping Israel Abanikanda on the practice squad.

SEPTEMBER 1 • THELANDRYHAT.COM

Waived by Dallas Abanikanda was waived by the Cowboys on Sunday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Abanikanda was selected in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Jets. He appeared in six regular-season games for New York as a rookie, accumulating 70 yards off 22 carries while catching seven passes for 43 yards. The 23-year-old most recently signed with the Cowboys on a reserve/future deal in January, and while Dallas waived him Sunday, there's still a chance he could be brought back as a member of the practice squad.

AUGUST 30 • ROTOWIRE

Cowboys tight end Princeton Fant will miss season after tearing knee ligaments in practice

Dallas Cowboys tight end Princeton Fant is out for the season after sustaining a knee injury in training camp

AUGUST 4 • Associated Press

Cowboys tight end Princeton Fant leaves practice early after apparently suffering knee injury

Dallas Cowboys tight end Princeton Fant left practice early after apparently suffering a knee injury Monday

AUGUST 3 • Associated Press

Cowboys fans are overlooking two backs who could flip the RB competition Malik Davis and Israel Abanikanda could be big factors in the Cowboys' running back competition.

JUNE 28 • THELANDRYHAT.COM

Inks reserve/future deal with DAL Dallas signed Abanikanda to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

Impact Abanikanda signed with the Cowboys' practice squad in November after he spent training camp and the preseason with Green Bay. A fifth-round pick by the Jets in 2023, Abanikanda hasn't appeared in a regular-season game since that rookie season.

JANUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Signs with Dallas The Cowboys signed Abanikanda to the practice squad Sunday.

Impact Abanikanda was cut from the Packers' practice squad Sept. 8, and was a free agent throughout the 2025 season before Sunday's signing. The signing likely comes due to the presence of Phil Mafah (shoulder) and Miles Sanders (knee) being committed to injured reserve, and fifth-round rookie Jaydon Blue's (coach's decision) consistent role as a healthy scratch.

NOVEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cut from Packers' practice squad Green Bay cut Abanikanda from the practice squad Monday.

Impact The move makes room on the practice squad for Pierre Strong. Abanikanda stuck around with Green Bay on the practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster at the end of training camp, but the 2023 fifth-rounder will now be on the lookout for a team in need of backfield depth.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Hanging around Green Bay Abanikanda was signed to the Packers' practice squad Wednesday.

Impact Abanikanda went unclaimed on waivers after being let go by the team Tuesday, and he will now stick around Green Bay as a member of the team's practice squad. The running back compiled 71 rushing yards and a touchdown on 24 carries, while also adding two catches for 13 yards and 267 yards on 10 kickoff returns over three preseason contests with the Packers. Abanikanda could earn an elevation to the active roster for support at running back or as a return specialist in 2025.

AUGUST 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Let go by Green Bay The Packers cut Abanikanda on Tuesday, Bill Huber of SI.com reports.

Impact Abanikanda put together a solid preseason in Green Bay, but he couldn't push Emanuel Wilson, MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) and Chris Brooks for a depth role behind Josh Jacobs. The Packers could opt to bring Abanikanda back as a member of the practice squad this season, if he doesn't find a role elsewhere.

AUGUST 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Finds paydirt for Packers Abanikanda had 12 carries for 43 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 23-10 preseason victory over the Jets. He also returned five kicks for 120 yards in the contest.

Impact It was a busy Saturday afternoon for Abanikanda, who in addition to being busy on specials teams led the Packers in both carries and rushing yards. Abanikanda's chances of securing a roster spot will improve if MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) misses any sort of significant time, but he is still presumably behind both Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks -- and of course, starter Josh Jacobs -- on the depth chart.

AUGUST 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Game Notes: Tyron Herring comes up big in Packers' thrilling comeback Israel Abanikanda sparks offense, Sean Clifford finishes rally

AUGUST 16, 2025 • PACKERS.COM

Israel Abanikanda: 'I wanted to show out today and show what I bring to the table'

AUGUST 16, 2025 • YOUTUBE

Richardson starts fast, Packers finish strong to rally past Colts 23-19 in preseason

Anthony Richardson completed six of his first eight passes, leading the Indianapolis Colts to a touchdown on his first series before the Green Bay Packers rallied late for a 23-19...

AUGUST 16, 2025 • Associated Press

Back from hamstring injury Abanikanda (hamstring) returned to practice Thursday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Impact Abanikanda's back after missing practice Tuesday and Wednesday. He's one of seven running backs currently with the team, but Abanikanda's unlikely to earn a spot on the 53-man roster, though a practice squad spot is a more realistic possibility.

AUGUST 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Hampered by hamstring injury Abanikanda (hamstring) did not practice Tuesday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Abanikanda played 21 offensive snaps in the Packers' preseason opener against the Jets this past Saturday and rushed six times for 19 yards. With MarShawn Lloyd (groin) and Emanuel Wilson (knee) out for that one, Abanikanda played behind both Josh Jacobs and Chris Brooks, so Abanikanda can't afford to miss much time if he's going to make a run at a 53-man roster spot.

AUGUST 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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Cowboys place Malik Davis on IR with hip injury and sign Israel Abanikanda off practice squad

Cowboys running back Malik Davis needs surgery on hip, AP source says

Cowboys tight end Princeton Fant will miss season after tearing knee ligaments in practice

Cowboys tight end Princeton Fant leaves practice early after apparently suffering knee injury

Richardson starts fast, Packers finish strong to rally past Colts 23-19 in preseason