Abanikanda (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's matchup with the Rams, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports. The running back was claimed off waivers by the 49ers on Dec. 3 with Christian McCaffrey (knee) and Jordan Mason (ankle) both injured. Both remain on injured reserve, but Isaac Guerendo, Patrick Taylor and Ke'Shawn Vaughn are San Francisco's active running backs for Thursday night. Abanikanda was inactive for each of the 12 games that he spent with the Jets this season before being waived.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Israel Abanikanda news
Team
San Francisco 49ers
Birthdate
10/5/2002 (22)
Status
Active
HT/WT
5'10", 216 lbs
Draft Info
2023: Rd 5; Pk (NYJ)
Birthplace
Brooklyn, NY, USA
Position
RB
College
Pittsburgh
Experience
2 seasons
Career History
San Francisco 49ers
2024-Present
(1 season)
New York Jets
2023-2024
(2 seasons)
Abanikanda (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's matchup with the Rams, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports. The running back was claimed off waivers by the 49ers on Dec. 3 with Christian McCaffrey (knee) and Jordan Mason (ankle) both injured. Both remain on injured reserve, but Isaac Guerendo, Patrick Taylor and Ke'Shawn Vaughn are San Francisco's active running backs for Thursday night. Abanikanda was inactive for each of the 12 games that he spent with the Jets this season before being waived.
San Francisco claimed Abanikanda off waivers Tuesday. Despite being on the 53-man roster, Abanikanda was inactive for each of the Jets' 12 regular-season games before being waived Monday. With Christian McCaffrey (knee) placed on injured reserve and Jordan Mason (ankle) set to follow suit, Abanikanda should see meaningful playing time as the 49ers' backup running back behind fourth-round rookie Isaac Guerendo while Patrick Taylor is available to be elevated from the practice squad to the active roster. Abanikanda appeared in six regular-season games for the Jets in 2023 and logged 22 carries for 70 yards while adding seven catches (on 11 targets) for 43 yards.
Abanikanda was waived by the Jets on Monday. Abanikanda, a 2023 fifth-round pick from Pittsburgh, had yet to appear in a game this season after falling down the team's depth chart. The 22-year-old recorded 22 carries for 70 yards over 75 offensive snaps in six games with the Jets in 2023. If he clears waivers, Abanikanda could land on the Jets' practice squad.
Abanikanda (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Broncos. Abanikanda has yet to suit up this season. Breece Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis will continue to lead the Jets' backfield.
Abanikanda (coach's decision) is inactive for Monday's game against the 49ers. The Jets will roll with running backs Breece Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis for the regular-season opener. Abanikanda will have to wait to make his first appearance of the 2024 season until Week 2 against Tennessee.
Abanikanda rushed the ball nine times for 83 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 10-6 preseason win over the Giants. He added one reception on one target for six yards. Abanikanda served as the starting running back with Breece Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis all sitting out. That Abanikanda suited up indicates his spot on the running back depth chart, though he did make the play of the game when he ran through several attempted tackles for a 45-yard touchdown early in the second quarter. He'll enter cutdown day on the roster bubble, but even if he doesn't stick with the Jets, he should be able to find opportunity elsewhere around the league.
Abanikanda rushed the ball six times for 29 yards in Saturday's 15-12 preseason win over the Panthers. Abanikanda was relatively efficient with his opportunity Saturday, highlighted by a 12-yard gain to kick off the second half. However, he entered the game after both Isaiah Davis and Braelon Allen for the second consecutive week, suggesting he is currently fourth on the running back depth chart. That leaves him with little projectable volume out of the backfield.
Abanikanda rushed six times for 17 yards and a touchdown while catching his only target for eight yards in Saturday's 20-17 preseason win over the Commanders. Abanikanda entered in the second half after rookie fourth-round and fifth-round draft picks Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis played the first half. Allen seems to have cemented himself as the top backup to Breece Hall, leaving Davis and Abanikanda in a competition for the third spot on the running back depth chart. Davis has the edge due to his ability to contribute on special teams, but Abanikanda may have bolstered his chances slightly with a two-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Abanikanda will look to add to his case for a roster spot when the Jets continue preseason play next Saturday in Carolina.
Abanikanda appears to have fallen down the Jets' backfield depth chart this offseason, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports. The Jets used fourth- and fifth-round picks on Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis back in April, and both have reportedly stood out in offseason practices. Abanikanda drew some summer hype last year but ultimately carried the ball 22 times for 70 empty yards (3.2 yards per carry) as a 2023 rookie. A fifth-round pick himself, Abanikanda could be on the roster bubble headed into the 2024 campaign.