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    Cowboys release RB Israel Abanikanda

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    Cowboys released RB Israel Abanikanda.

    The Cowboys also released/waived LB Justin Barron, RB Jaydon Blue, CB Trikweze Bridges, CB Josh Butler, S Zion Childress, RB Jashaun Corbin, DT Tommy Dunn, G Chris Glaser, T Sebastian Gutierrez, WR Jordan Hudson, T Marcellus Johnson, G Trevor Keegan, TE Zack Kuntz, LB Isaiah Land, RB Phil Mafah, DT Dayo Odeleye, LB Langston Patterson, T Shiyazh Pete, WR Anthony Smith, WR Jaden Smith, CB Reddy Steward, DT Jay Toia, TE Michael Trigg, TE Mitch Van Vooren, G DJ Wingfield, DT DJ Withers, S Julius Wood, WR Tyler Johnson, CB Derioin Kendrick, WR Denzel Mims, LB Curtis Robinson, WR Marquez Valeds-Scantling, LB Sam Williams, TE DJ Rogers and placed LB Marist Liufau and CB Devin Moore.
Ranking AFC West contenders: Broncos remain on top
Football Night in America breaks down the state of the AFC West, discussing why it runs through the Denver Broncos while debating between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers.

Related Player News

  • DAL Running Back #20
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    Regarding Davis’ injury, Fowler’s source said simply, “it’s bad.” The Cowboys’ No. 2 running back is undergoing further testing, but we expect them to place him on injured reserve before long. The Cowboys waived RB Jaydon Blue and RB Phil Mafah last month. Blue has since signed with the Eagles’ practice squad. Currently, only RB Israel Abanikanda resides on the practice squad in Dallas.
  • DAL Running Back #20
    Davis appears to have secured a roster spot, but we won’t know for sure until Sunday. The broadcast initially referred to him as the starter, but it was instead RB Phil Mafah who took the field. Mafah dominated backfield touches throughout the first half, repeatedly running into Saints defenders on runs up the middle. He was spelled by RB Israel Abanikanda. Cowboys RB Jaydon Blue does not seem to be playing this evening. Last Sunday, The Athletic’s Jon Machota predicted Blue would seize the No. 2 running back job from Davis in-season.
  • DAL Running Back #23
    The good news is that Blue took “some” snaps in team drills for the first time this week, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer. The bad news is that Blue was the fourth player up behind starting RB Javonte Williams and fellow backups RB Malik Davis and RB Israel Abanikanda. Earlier today, COO and co-owner Stephen Jones said Blue and RB Phil Mafah were being “pushed” by Davis. While it’s possible the team is just easing Blue back into action, his spot in the rotation, coupled with Jones’ comments, is concerning. He had received positive reviews to this point, but a fantasy-related reassessment may be in order. The backfield rotation in Saturday’s preseason game against the Cardinals is worth tracking.
  • GB Wide Receiver #6
    Hardman was waived at last cuts but decided that staying with the Packers made sense. The 27-year-old will likely be elevated in Week 1 if Jayden Reed’s injury is as serious as it seems. Also joining the Packers practice squad are: QB Clayton Tune, RB Israel Abanikanda, DL Deslin Alexandre, DB Johnathan Baldwin, T Brant Banks, DL James Ester, LB Jamon Johnson, K Mark McNamee, DL Arron Mosby, WR Isaiah Neyor, WR Will Sheppard, DB Jaylin Simpson, and LB Kristian Welch.
  • FA Running Back #23
    In three preseason games, Abanikanda rushed 24 times for 71 yards, one touchdown and one fumble and caught 2-of-4 targets for 14 yards. He could return to the Packers via the practice squad. The Packers released DL Deslin Alexandre, DB Johnathan Baldwin, T Brant Banks, LB Jared Bartlett, G Tyler Cooper, RB Tyrion Davis-Price, DL James Ester, CB Tyron Herring, WR Julian Hicks, C Trey Hill, RB Amar Johnson, WR Cornelius Johnson, LB Jamon Johnson, CB Kalen King, G JJ Lippe, TE Johnny Lumpkin, K Mark McNamee, DL Arron Mosby, WR Isaiah Neyor, DL Devonte O’Malley, WR Will Sheppard, DB Jaylin Simpson, G/C Lecitus Smith, TE Messiah Swinson, T Kadeem Telfort and LB Kristian Welch. The Packers placed C/G Jacob Monk placed on injured reserve with a designation to return.
  • GB Running Back #20
    Abanikanda moves from one Shanahan system to another. Unfortunately, for the one-cut-and-go runner, the Packers’ running back unit is even deeper than the 49ers’. He is unlikely to find a fantasy-relevant role in Green Bay.
  • SF Wide Receiver #2
    Cephus has not played an NFL game since 2022, when he caught 2-of-3 targets for 15 yards. He is not guaranteed to make the final roster and does not need to be considered as a late-round option. The team waived RB Israel Abanikanda in a corresponding move.
  • SF Running Back #31
    The 49ers will feature their fourth running back of the season on Sunday against the Dolphins if Guerendo can’t suit up. Guerendo was a DNP in Wednesday’s practice, but it sounds like the team is already preparing to be without the rookie. It’s hard to know what direction the 49ers could go in here, but Patrick Taylor figures to be first in line for touches as the most-tenured member of the Niners. Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Israel Abanikanda only recently joined the team after it was revealed Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason would be placed on injured reserve, but both backs could also work into the mix even if Taylor operates as the lead back.
  • SF Defensive End #97
    Bosa was able to work out prior to the contest and felt healthy enough during the pregame warmups. The 49ers will also get Dre Greenlaw for his season debut. With Bosa and Greenlaw back, the inactives for the Thursday Night Football contest are T Trent Williams, QB Joshua Dobbs, DL Khalil Davis, S Malik Mustapha, CB Rock-Ya Sin and RB Israel Abanikanda.
  • SF Running Back #49
    Vaughn’s practice squad days may be over. Week 14 starter, RB Isaac Guerendo exited with a foot injury and the 49ers have a quick turnaround, facing the Rams on Thursday night in Week 15. Vaughn played inefficiently but is currently penciled in as the team’s No. 2 RB behind Patrick Taylor Jr. The team recently signed RB Israel Abanikanda but kept him inactive this week. Fantasy managers should closely monitor the news for updates on Guerendo’s foot and Vaughn’s depth chart spot in relation to the speedy Abanikanda.

Rotoworld

  • CAR Quarterback #9
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    NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reports that the Panthers will “likely” decide whether to offer QB Bryce Young an extension in the 2027 offseason.

    Young has two years remaining on his contract, but is currently eligible for an extension. According to Wolfe, Young needs to improve in three areas. First, Young must check down when it’s the responsible thing to do, in turn elevating his completion rate to the “high 60s, low 70s” range. Second, Young must be comfortable playing with tempo and diverse personnel formations, including WR Tetairoa McMillan lining up in the slot more often. Third, Young must play quickly and decisively. Whether he can accomplish these feats is up in the air. He’s a mid-to-low QB2 for fantasy purposes.
  • NYG Wide Receiver #87
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    The Athletic’s Dan Duggan reports that the Giants’ plan to elevate WR Braxton Berrios from the practice squad is unrelated to WR Malik Nabers (knee).

    This one is for the practice squad transactions grinders. Nabers is questionable to play in Week 1 against the Cowboys and has made it clear that he is weighing his long-term health heavily as he decides whether to play. Per Duggan, if the Giants elevate a second wide receiver, that “would be a very discouraging sign.” Stay tuned.
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    Vikings restructured CB Isaiah Rodgers’ contract.

    According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the restructure converts playtime incentives, up to $1.5 million, into a signing bonus “as a nod to his status as a proven starter.” Prior to the new deal, the Vikings also had only $6.39 million in salary cap space, the eighth-lowest amount in the NFL.
  • NO Running Back #41
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    New Orleans Football’s Nick Underhill believes Saints RB Alvin Kamara (knee) will not have a “huge role” if he plays in Week 1 against the Lions.

    Underhill notes that Kamara practiced fully on Friday, “so he’s cleared, but the team is deep at running back.” This is good news for starting RB Travis Etienne, who should lead the team in carries easily and potentially hog snaps in scoring position since Kamara will be less than 100 percent healthy, if active. Saints RB3 Kendre Miller is the next man up.
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    Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said RB Mike Washington is “still a maturing player” and has “earned more opportunities.”

    Overall, these comments are positive, but this is the first time in a while that Kubiak has added a qualifier when complimenting his rookie running back. The Raiders head coach said Washington is “a talented man that we’re going to keep giving opportunities to,” yet notes that the team is now about to go against live defenses “for 17 weeks in a row here before the playoffs, so he’s got to keep maturing.” This serves as a helpful reminder that despite Washington’s strong preseason showing, RB Ashton Jeanty is still the clear-cut starter. Washington can return FLEX value against the Dolphins’ defense, but perhaps Kubiak is considering easing Washington into a rotational role a little more so than he previously indicated. Regardless, Washington remains one of the highest-valued backups in fantasy football and should be rostered in all formats.
  • FA Defensive Lineman #95
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    Lions released DL Levi Onwuzurike.

    Onwuzurike, 28, tore an ACL in July 2025, ending his season before it began. His 2026 salary would have been fully guaranteed if he remained on the roster when Week 1 kicked off, so it is possible that this is just a salary cap maneuver, and we will see the Lions re-sign him to a team-friendly deal soon.
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    Titans claimed OG Atonio Mafi, formerly of the Raiders, off waivers.

    Mafi entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft with the Patriots. He made his way to Las Vegas last year, but was unable to secure a long-term role. He could end up on the practice squad in Tennessee.
  • ARI Outside Linebacker #10
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    Cardinals EDGE Josh Sweat (knee/rest) is not on the final injury report and will play in Week 1 against the Chargers.

    Sweat upgraded to full participation today, which is good news. The Cardinals’ pass rusher was reportedly unhappy with the team this offseason and was ultimately placed on the physically unable to perform list. Today, GM Monti Ossenfort revealed that Sweat had an “offseason procedure,” presumably on his knee. The two sides appear to have resolved their issues, and Sweat is seemingly good to go after a successful rehab.
  • JAC Running Back #5
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    Jaguars RB LeQuint Allen (hip) is questionable for Week 1 against the Browns.

    Allen was expected to take on an expanded receiving role, in addition to his pass-protection duties, but a hip injury has stalled that plan. If active, he is unlikely to do more than help keep QB Trevor Lawrence upright. If he is inactive, the team could employ a committee approach in addressing his vacated duties.
  • GB Wide Receiver #16
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    Packers signed WR Bo Melton to the practice squad.

    Melton rejoins the Packers via the taxi squad after roughly two hours away. He is not on the fantasy radar at this time.