Packers claim speedy former Jets draft pick to help RB depth
Abanikanda, who is still only 22 years old, was a fifth-round pick of the New York Jets in 2023. He played in six games as a rookie, rushing 22 times for 70 yards and catching seven passes for 43 yards. Inactive for the first 12 games of the 2024 season, Abanikanda was waived by the Jets in December of 2024, leading to his arrival in San Francisco.
The 49ers waived Abanikanda (5-10, 216) from the 90-man roster on Thursday.
The Packers are strong at the top of the running back depth chart, with Pro Bowler Josh Jacobs, 2024 third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd and backups Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks leading the way. The Packers may see the need for more depth at training camp, considering rookie Amar Johnson is on the non-football injury list with a hamstring injury. Abanikanda would give the roster a sixth healthy running back with Johnson out.
Abanikanda was a first-team All-ACC pick and third-team All-American in 2022 after rushing for 1,431 yards and scoring 21 total touchdowns across 11 games. He set Pitt's all-time record for rushing yards in a game when he gained 320 yards against Virginia Tech in 2022. Abanikanda also has experience returning kickoffs, including one kickoff return touchdown while at Pitt.
While he didn't participate at the NFL Scouting Combine, Abanikanda had an excellent pro day, hitting 41" in the vertical leap, covering 10-8 in the broad jump and running the 40-yard dash in the 4.3-second range. His unofficial Relative Athletic Score was 9.88 out of 10.0 given his pro day results.
Abanikanda will need to pass a physical on Saturday to be officially signed to the Packers roster. The team doesn't practice again until Sunday.
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