Inside The Panthers

Former Pitt RB Injured in Jets Game

The former Pitt Panthers running back is dealing with a thigh injury.

Stephen Thompson

Former Pitt RB Injured in Jets Game
Former Pitt RB Injured in Jets Game /
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PITTSBURGH -- Former Pitt Panthers running back Israel Abanikanda's stellar preseason with the New York Jets took a turn for the worse during Week 2 action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Jets head coach Robert Salah said following the game that the former Pitt star and 2022 ACC rushing champion was dealing with a thigh contusion. He had no further update on his health - just that the Jets' fifth-round pick would be evaluated this week. 

Abanikanda is in the thick of a heated battle for playing time and roster spots in the Jets backfield. Breece Hall is back from injury, Dalvin Cook has just been signed and there is incredible depth between Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight and Abanikanda as well. 

But he's been the Jets' leading rusher during the preseason and expanded on his lead with 30 yards on four carries against Tampa Bay. 

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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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