Israel Abanikanda Expected to Play Right Away for Jets

The former Pitt Panthers star will get an opportunity right away in the NFL.

PITTSBURGH -- The ambitious New York Jets, after adding a future Hall of Famer at quarterback, continue to look for ways to upgrade their talented roster, which could mean adding All-Pro running back Dalvin Cook to the fold. On paper, it seems like a move that would force former Pitt Panther Israel Abanikanda, a 2023 draft pick, out of the picture. 

But Abanikanda is in a better position to play right away in his first season out of Pitt than it appears, according to a report from The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt, who covers the Jets. 

He said the Jets interest in signing Cook to a lucrative free agent contract could hinge on the health of presumed starter Breece Hall, whose ability to start Week 1 is up in the air. Still, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett prefers to rotate his running backs. That makes it both attractive for Cook, who would benefit from a lighter workload, and give Abanikanda a chance to play even in a loaded room.

"The Jets are acting confident that Breece Hall will be ready to play in Week 1 coming off ACL surgery, but even if he’s not, they still have Michael Carter and fifth-round pick Israel Abanikanda. The Jets under Mike LaFleur used a running back rotation — though that was about to change once Hall started taking off, pre-ACL injury — and historically, Nathaniel Hackett-led offenses have favored split workloads."

The Jets certainly have enough cap space to add Cook. But Rosenblatt thinks that the team has enough faith in Abanikanda's ability "to contribute right away" to hold off on signing a big-name running back like Cook, Leonard Fournette or Kareem Hunt. 

He almost certainly won't be the lead back in New York this season, barring some disastrous injury luck, but Abanikanda is expected to get more than his fair share of carries. And as Pitt fans know, he's capable of turning every touch into a big play. 

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

Report: Pitt C Federiko Federiko Updates Health

Pitt Target Mylachi Williams Sets Commitment Date

Former Pitt G Ithiel Horton Making Third Transfer

Pitt Predicted to Land Four-Star DB Koy Beasley

Pitt Cracks PFF Preseason Top 25

Pitt Returns ACC's Best CB Duo

• Follow Inside the Panthers on Twitter: @InsidePitt