Cowboys sign RB who once broke Tony Dorsett's Pitt record originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Dallas Cowboys just signed a running back with a cool connection to Tony Dorsett.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe new guy: Israel Abanikanda. The Cowboys announced his signing on Sunday.
Abanikanda's most notable football accomplishment came in the collegiate record books at the University of Pittsburgh, where Dorsett had been a legend.
In 2022, Abanikanda ran for 320 yards in a game against Virginia Tech. That broke the single-game rushing yardage record for Pitt, which Dorsett set in 1975. Abanikanda found the end zone six times in that game against the Hokies.
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Abanikanda was then drafted with the No. 143 pick in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe was waived at the end of the 2024 season and claimed by the San Francisco 49ers. He spent the first portion of the 2025 summer with the 'Niners before he was cut. The Green Bay Packers then signed him, and he was on their practice squad before being released on Sept. 8.
Now, Abanikanda takes the practice squad spot vacated by Malik Davis, who was signed to the active roster.
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The Cowboys' backfield is still led by Javonte Williams, and in addition to Davis, they still have fifth-round rookie Jaydon Blue.
It's not clear how Abanikanda might factor into plans down the stretch. But Dallas has clearly decided they want to give him a look.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAbanikanda is 5-foot-10 but 216 pounds, a potential bruiser if ever given a larger role. For now, he'll try to prove to the Cowboys that he deserves to stick around.
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