Latest news with #Abanikanda
USA Today
26-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Packers fill 91-man roster by claiming RB, signing rookie CB
The Green Bay Packers filled out their 91-man offseason roster by claiming running back Israel Abanikanda and signing rookie cornerback Garnett Hollis Jr. on Saturday. Both players should be available when the Packers return to the field for a fourth practice of training camp on Sunday morning. With two open roster spots, the Packers did not need to make a corresponding move. Note: the Packers have an International Player Pathway program player on their roster, so they technically have a 91-player roster. Abanikanda, a fifth-round pick of the New York Jets in 2023, was claimed off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers, who waived him on Thursday. He will wear No. 23. Hollis Jr. was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent out of West Virginia on May 9 but was waived four days later. He will wear No. 41. Packers Wire has more on Abanikanda here. Hollis Jr. was in Green Bay for a workout on Thursday. Hollis Jr. spent his first four seasons at Northwestern before transferring to West Virginia for the 2024 season. He played in 39 games with 29 starts overall, producing 124 tackles, 14 pass breakups and two interceptions. According to Pro Football Focus, Hollis Jr. (6-0, 199) was an effective run defender during his final two seasons at Northwestern (grading above 85.0 against the run each season) but struggled in coverage during his only season at West Virginia, allowing five touchdown passes and a passer rating of 129.4 into his coverage in 2024. At his pro day, Hollis ran the 40-yard dash in 4.50 seconds, hit 36.5" in the vertical leap, covered 10-5 in the broad jump and did 11 reps on the bench. The Packers have been through three training camp practices. General manager Brian Gutekunst and coach Matt LaFleur clearly saw a need to add at running back and cornerback with the next phase of training camp coming up.
USA Today
25-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Packers claim speedy former Jets draft pick to help RB depth
The Green Bay Packers are claiming speedy running back Israel Abanikanda off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers, according to Aaron Wilson and agent Shawn O'Gorman. 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.
