Inside The Panthers

Breece Hall Injury Could Open Up Opportunity for Israel Abanikanda

Former Pitt Panther Israel Abanikanda could be in for a big preseason.

Stephen Thompson

Breece Hall Injury Could Open Up Opportunity for Israel Abanikanda
Breece Hall Injury Could Open Up Opportunity for Israel Abanikanda /
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PITTSBURGH -- Former Pitt Panthers running back Israel Abanikanda was drafted into what was, on paper, one of the deepest running backs rooms in the NFL, but an opportunity for him to make a splash in training camp has opened up. 

The New York Jets have placed starting tailback Breece Hall on the Physically Unable to Perform list as training camp opened, meaning they will have to lean on other backs for an indefinite amount of time while Hall completes his recovery from an ACL injury. That means the former Pitt star could be in line for a big preseason if he can capitalize on what will surely be increased reps. 

With backups Michael Carter and Zonovan Knight having struggled down the stretch of last season with Hall out and Hall's own status a major question, Abanikanda, New York's fifth-round selection this past year, been mentioned as a lock to contribute immediately and even as a candidate to start for the Jets this coming year by The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt. 

"Carter and Knight struggled down the stretch with Hall out. Johnson was cut with a non-football injury this offseason," Rosenblatt said. "The Jets think Carter will bounce back and also believe that Israel Abanikanda — whom they drafted in the fifth round out of Pitt — can make an immediate impact. He’s a home-run threat and will be part of the running back rotation right away, pushing to start if Hall is out to begin the season."

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

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