Israel Abanikanda
RB NYJ (7)
Sun 1/7/24 10:58 PM

Abanikanda rushed three times for six yards and wasn't targeted in Sunday's 17-3 win over the Patriots.
EDGE Analysis
Abanikanda didn't see much work while Breece Hall rumbled for 178 yards and a touchdown on a career-high 37 rushing attempts in snowy conditions. Hall's the clear lead back in New York heading into the 2024 season, but Abanikanda could be his top backup if the Jets don't add reinforcements in the backfield. Abanikanda saw limited action after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, finishing his rookie season with 22 carries for 70 yards, in addition to seven catches for 43 yards on 11 targets.

Israel Abanikanda
RB NYJ (7)
Fri 12/29/23 12:39 AM

Abanikanda rushed twice for three yards and brought in four of seven targets for 27 yards in the Jets' 37-20 loss to the Browns on Thursday night. He also returned one kickoff for 12 yards on which he lost a fumble.
EDGE Analysis
The rookie saw nowhere the run he'd enjoyed during a nine-carry outing against the Commanders in Week 16, but he partly made up for it with a new career high in receptions and receiving yards. Abanikanda's fumble came on his one kickoff return, but it didn't lead to any Browns points. Abanikanda could be set for a busier day on the ground in the Week 18 finale against the Patriots on Jan. 7.

Israel Abanikanda
RB NYJ (7)
Thu 12/28/23 7:10 PM

Abanikanda (ankle) is active to face the Browns on Thursday Night Football.
EDGE Analysis
Abanikanda was limited throughout Week 17 prep, but he will be able to suit up against Cleveland on Thursday. The rookie running back logged a season-high nine carries for 43 yards against Washington last Sunday, and he appears to have surpassed Dalvin Cook on the depth chart. Abanikanda could thus handle around a handful of carries while working behind Breece Hall on Thursday.

Israel Abanikanda
RB NYJ (7)
Wed 12/27/23 6:11 PM

Abanikanda (ankle) is questionable for Thursday night's Week 17 game against the Browns, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
The rookie running back was limited in practice all week. He's carried the ball 16 times over the last three weeks, generating 50 yards and no touchdowns while catching two passes for 11 scoreless yards in that span. If Abanikanda is forced to sit out Thursday, Dalvin Cook would jump back to No. 2 in the backfield behind Breece Hall.

Israel Abanikanda
RB NYJ (7)
Tue 12/26/23 6:18 PM

Abanikanda (ankle) was a limited participant at the Jets' walkthrough practice Tuesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Abanikanda's availability for Thursday's game at Cleveland looks to be in danger because of a knee injury. If he can't practice in full Wednesday, he'll likely carry an injury designation into Thursday.

Israel Abanikanda
RB NYJ (7)
Mon 12/25/23 6:12 PM

Abanikanda is listed as a limited participant on Monday's practice estimate due to an ankle injury, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
EDGE Analysis
Abanikanda has usurped Dalvin Cook as the Jets' No. 2 running back the past two games, combining for 38 offensive snaps to the latter's 15. As a result, Abanikanda has 13 carries for 51 yards (3.9 YPC) and two catches (on two targets) for 11 yards during that stretch, while Cook's ledger reads two touches for 10 total yards. With a health concern now in tow, Abanikanda's status will need to be monitored ahead of Thursday's game in Cleveland to get a sense of his chances to continue to serve as the primary backup to Breece Hall.

Israel Abanikanda
RB NYJ (7)
Mon 12/25/23 4:04 PM

Abanikanda (ankle) rushed nine times for 43 yards and wasn't targeted in Sunday's 30-28 win over the Commanders.
EDGE Analysis
Abanikanda came into the game with eight career carries, but he exceeded that total against Washington, suggesting that the ankle injury that limited the rookie's practice participation during the week isn't hindering his availability. Dalvin Cook finished without a carry or target, so Abanikanda seems to have supplanted Cook as the top backup to Breece Hall heading into Thursday's road game in Cleveland.

Israel Abanikanda
RB NYJ (7)
Sun 12/24/23 11:55 AM

Abanikanda (ankle) is active ahead of Sunday's game against the Commanders.
EDGE Analysis
Abanikanda was held to limited participation in practice throughout the week, but it now seems as if he'll be able to play through his ankle issue in Week 16. The rookie is expected to serve as the Jets' No. 3 running back behind Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook on Sunday.

Israel Abanikanda
RB NYJ (7)
Fri 12/22/23 3:37 PM

Abanikanda (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Commanders.
EDGE Analysis
Abanikanda was a limited participant in all three of the Jets' practices during the week. The 2023 fifth-round draft pick got a career-high six touches in New York's previous game, and Abanikanda could continue to work ahead of Dalvin Cook as the top alternative to starter Breece Hall if the rookie's healthy enough to suit up Sunday.

Israel Abanikanda
RB NYJ (7)
Wed 12/20/23 4:42 PM

Abanikanda (ankle) was listed as limited on the Jets' estimated practice report Wednesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Abanikanda totaled a season-high six touches in Sunday's loss to the Dolphins, but he also appears to have come out of the game with an ankle injury. With the Jets out of playoff contention, the rookie running back could see extra work during the final three weeks of the season, as long as he can prove healthy enough to suit up. He'll work to ramp up his activity level in practice Thursday in anticipation of playing Week 16 against the Commanders.