Source + player page
Yahoo Sports NFL fantasy football takes on Israel Abanikanda
Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from Yahoo Sports NFL about Israel Abanikanda.
40
Insights
10
Positive
9
Negative
Insight ledger
All Yahoo Sports NFL insights about Israel Abanikanda
NegativeDepth ChartSep 15, 2026
Waived by Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 15, losing roster spot as the team signed Tyler Goodson to the 53-man roster.NegativeDepth ChartSep 15, 2026
Israel Abanikanda was waived by the Cowboys as a corresponding move to signing Tyler Goodson, indicating a depth chart shift at the running back position.PositiveRoleSep 15, 2026
Israel Abanikanda is expected to be elevated to the active roster from the practice squad for Week 2 to back up Javonte Williams following Malik Davis' injured reserve placement.PositiveRoleSep 15, 2026
Israel Abanikanda was signed from the practice squad to the active roster after Malik Davis was placed on injured reserve, giving him a roster spot in the Cowboys' running back committee.NegativeInjurySep 13, 2026
Israel Abanikanda is inactive for the Week 1 game against the New York Giants, removing him from the Cowboys' running back rotation for the season opener.NegativeDepth ChartSep 12, 2026
Israel Abanikanda, a fifth-round pick of the Jets in 2023, was signed from the Cowboys' practice squad to take Malik Davis's spot on the active roster following Davis's injured reserve placement. Abanikanda first joined the Cowboys' practice squad in November, spent the offseason, training camp, and preseason on the 90-man roster before being waived on August 30.NegativeRoleSep 12, 2026
Israel Abanikanda signed to active roster from practice squad as counter move to Malik Davis' injured reserve placement. He is fully up to speed on the offense and should be able to contribute if asked, though the team will not ask much of him right away as Emari Demercado should pick up much of the work. Abanikanda has limited production history with 70 rushing yards and 43 receiving yards.NegativeDepth ChartSep 11, 2026
Israel Abanikanda is on the Cowboys practice squad and will likely receive a call-up for Sunday's season opener due to Malik Davis' serious hip injury. Abanikanda represents a potential depth option if the team needs additional running back depth beyond Javonte Williams and Emari Demercado.NegativeDepth ChartSep 11, 2026
Israel Abanikanda is on the Cowboys' practice squad and may be called up for the opener depending on the severity of Malik Davis's injury evaluation.NegativeDepth ChartSep 5, 2026
Running back Israel Abanikanda was the only ex-Jet retained by Dallas on offense but was placed on the practice squad rather than the active roster.NegativeRoleSep 2, 2026
Abanikanda earned a spot on the Cowboys' practice squad, securing a developmental roster spot ahead of Phil Mafah, who was waived and not added to the practice squad.PositiveRoleSep 1, 2026
Israel Abanikanda made the Cowboys practice squad after the initial 53-man roster showed a lack of running back depth. He shares the physicality and north/south ability of the team's preferred one-two punch of Javonte Williams and Malik Davis, making him a valuable emergency depth option that protects the offensive approach.NegativeDepth ChartAug 31, 2026
Released by the Cowboys as part of an aggressive backfield reduction that also included Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah.NegativeDepth ChartAug 30, 2026
Israel Abanikanda was waived by the Cowboys as part of their running back cuts, leaving only Javonte Williams and Malik Davis at the position.NegativeDepth ChartAug 30, 2026
Israel Abanikanda is listed as the third running back on the Cowboys' depth chart as the team finalizes its 53-man roster for the 2026 season.NegativeDepth ChartAug 29, 2026
The source indicates that Abanikanda has 'done nothing to sway opinions' in the preseason, suggesting he has not made a compelling case for a roster spot over the established running backs.NegativeRoleAug 29, 2026
Abanikanda received primary work in the preseason finale against the Saints but had a costly fumble; his roster status is uncertain as Dallas must decide whether to keep him on the 53-man roster, with the sense that if both he and Mafah are waived, the team feels comfortable reclaiming at least one via waivers.NegativeUsageAug 29, 2026
Running back Israel Abanikanda received seven carries for 16 yards (2.3 yards per carry) in the Saints preseason game as the Cowboys gave him a chance to compete for a roster spot.NegativeRoleAug 28, 2026
Israel Abanikanda is competing for the RB2 role behind Javonte Williams alongside Jaydon Blue, Malik Davis, and Phil Mafah; Davis currently holds the edge in the competition.PositiveRoleAug 27, 2026
Israel Abanikanda has had a good training camp and has shown not only his speed in practices but the strength to keep the chains moving with his power and willingness to finish runs; he is competing with Phil Mafah for a potential fourth running back roster spot and could split reps in the second half of the preseason finale for a final push to make the team.NegativeRoleAug 26, 2026
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said he will continue to include Abanikanda in the backup running back mix, keeping him in contention alongside Malik Davis, Jayden Blue, and Phil Mafah.NegativeUsageAug 24, 2026
Israel Abanikanda ran 12 routes across two preseason games, accumulating 0 receiving yards for a 0.00 yards per route run (YPRR), showing minimal route involvement and no receiving production.PositiveProjectionAug 24, 2026
Abanikanda earned a 76.0 PFF grade in the Cardinals game and ranks 4th among all NFL running backs in preseason grades (71.75 overall) after two weeks, demonstrating strong efficiency in the backup role.NegativeUsageAug 23, 2026
Abanikanda received 8 carries in the preseason game against Arizona, placing him third in the RB rotation behind Blue (15 carries) and Davis (5 carries), as the Cowboys continue to evaluate their running back depth chart.PositiveSleeperAug 22, 2026
Sleeper in the running back competition who has looked just as good as any of his competitors throughout training camp/preseason; despite that, he's still a long shot to make the roster.NegativeUsageAug 21, 2026
RB Israel Abanikanda will likely see a heavy workload in week two preseason against the Cardinals alongside Malik Davis, as Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah are expected to be limited by injuries.NegativeRoleAug 18, 2026
Had seven carries for 36 yards in the preseason game against Seattle, matching Malik Davis in carry count but producing slightly fewer yards. Limited in Monday's practice due to rib injury, which reduces his reps in the ongoing RB competition.NegativeRoleAug 18, 2026
Abanikanda found room in the running back competition during the preseason opener, competing alongside Malik Davis and other backs in an ongoing backfield battle.NegativeInjuryAug 17, 2026
Israel Abanikanda was limited in practice after being banged up in the preseason game with a rib injury.PositiveUsageAug 16, 2026
Running back rushed seven times for 36 yards, running hard on the interior alongside Malik Davis. The source notes both Davis and Abanikanda outperformed Jaydon Blue's efficiency, with the Cowboys offense proving they work best when committing to power runs between the tackles.PositiveUsageAug 16, 2026
Running back impressed in second half with 37 yards on seven carries (5.1 yards per carry), outperforming second-year backs Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah; source notes second-half backs seemed to do better job reading rushing lanes, hitting holes quickly, and pushing forward.NegativeDepth ChartAug 13, 2026
Abanikanda is in the mix for a running back roster spot with the Cowboys. He has a physical running style and very good speed that could showcase his talents in the later stages of preseason games. He may also get some opportunities on kickoffs, adding to his value in the roster battle.NegativeRoleAug 5, 2026
Running back is part of the Cowboys' RB depth chart; the source indicates the first preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals will be telling regarding how much or little playing time he receives and where he stands in the running back rotation behind Javonte Williams and Jaydon Blue.NegativeRoleAug 4, 2026
Israel Abanikanda was involved in the play that resulted in Princeton Fant's knee injury during the Cowboys' first padded practice of training camp, when Fant was blocked backward into the running back.NegativeRoleAug 1, 2026
Israel Abanikanda signed a futures deal with the Dallas Cowboys after the 2025 season.PositiveRoleJul 30, 2026
Running back in deeper depth chart rotation behind Javonte Williams and the primary backup competition; popped a big run with the third-team unit during Day 1 of training camp.NegativeRoleJul 26, 2026
Israel Abanikanda is a speedy back the Cowboys liked coming out of the University of Pittsburgh in 2023 who broke Tony Dorsett's single-game rushing record while at Pitt. He is one of two other running backs headed into training camp competing for a roster spot.NegativeRoleJul 26, 2026
Israel Abanikanda is a speedy running back the Cowboys liked coming out of the University of Pittsburgh in 2023; he broke Tony Dorsett's single-game rushing record while at Pitt. He is competing for a roster spot in the running back room.NegativeRoleJul 26, 2026
Israel Abanikanda is a speedy back the Cowboys liked coming out of the University of Pittsburgh in 2023; he broke Tony Dorsett's single-game rushing record while at Pitt. He is one of two other running backs headed into training camp competing for a roster spot.PositiveRoleNo date
The newly acquired running back joins a wide-open roster battle in the backfield where his explosive straight-line speed could help him earn one of the final RB roster spots.