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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