Most teams carry four running backs, but some don't even need to keep that many. But with injury concerns and expanded opportunities, the Green Bay Packers may have found the perfect reason to keep five backs on the roster after the cut down to 53 players.
After impressing through training camp and the preseason opener, second-year back Israel Abanikanda is making a strong case to stick on the Packers' final roster this summer. He led the Packers in rushing this week, totalling 43 yards on 12 carries with a touchdown in the third quarter. He also added 120 yards on five kick returns, averaging 24 yards per return.
It's performances like that that give the Packers coaching staff something to consider when crafting the final roster. Abanikanda is impressing, and his path to grabbing a spot as the possible fifth running back is far from out of the question.
Special teams production strengthens Packers RB Israel Abanikanda's roster argument
Abanikanda's special teams contributions, particularly as the kick returner, are his biggest arguments to make the team. While he was a key fixture on the 14-play drive that ended with his 3-yard touchdown run, he averaged just 3.6 yards per carry against the Colts after averaging 3.2 yards against the Jets. That's not going to cut it in the backfield, even if the reserve offensive line holds plenty of blame.
Even still, the injury concerns with MarShawn Lloyd have not gone away this preseason, as he is already dealing with a second injury this summer. That could give the Packers enough reason to invest in some insurance in the running back room while taking advantage of the extra boost on kick returns.
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Because the NFL has incentivized more returns in the kickoff phase this season, with touchbacks coming back out to the 35-yard line, teams want someone who can get their offenses started as close to the 30-yard line as possible.
Since kickers have to drop the ball within the field of play, a 25-yard average return would set the offense up fairly close to that mark more often than not. Abanikanda has averaged 26.7 yards per return on his 10 attempts in the preseason so far.
There's still competition for that running back insurance spot, though. Amar Johnson has averaged 6.4 yards per carry on his 14 attempts out of the backfield this preseason, which certainly makes a stronger case as a pure running back. Johnson would have to contribute on special teams in other aspects, too, but the Packers would be risking worse starting field position as a result.
Nonetheless, Abanikanda has given the Packers' coaching staff plenty to think about over the next week and change at the running back position. Another solid outing in the return game against the Seattle Seahawks' questionable special teams unit could go a long way in solidifying his spot in Green Bay for the 2025 season.