New Opportunity Opens for Former Pitt RB
PITTSBURGH -- The New York Jets released backup running back Michael Carter this week, a surprising move that could allow a former Pitt Panther to move up the depth chart and take his first snaps in a regular season NFL game.
With Carter out, former Pitt star Israel Abanikanda figures to keep moving up the depth chart. He's currently listed as the fourth tailback on the roster, but NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said the Jets are expected to give their 2023 fifth-round draft pick a chance to prove himself.
Abanikanda has not only had to sit behind a deep room of veteran running backs, but has dealt with a preseason hamstring injury that put him behind the curve before his rookie year even really began. He had been the Jets' leading rusher during the preseason before an injury knocked him out in Week 2. Abanikanda has been a healthy scratch for all of the regular season.
Even if he does get to take some snaps for the Jets down the stretch of this season, Abanikanda's role will certainly be limited, at least to start. He still is behind Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook on the depth chart, but it seems like he will at least get to dress for an NFL game for the first time, if not contribute on special teams and take a handful of snaps.
New York selected Abanikanda, the 2022 ACC rushing champion, with the 143 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft after he racked up 1,577 total yards and 21 touchdowns during a breakout 2022 campaign in which he powered the Pitt offense and helped the team reach nine wins.
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