Dallas Cowboys Land Explosive Ex-All-American Running Back in Surprise Late Season Signing

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

The Dallas Cowboys are trying to keep the good times rolling.

The team is on a three-game winning streak, second place in the NFC East, and within striking distance of catching the falling Eagles for first place in the division.

The Cowboys, who caught backlash for trading Micah Parsons, made a signing this week after their Thanksgiving victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Dallas Cowboys signed Israel Abanikanda to the practice squad on Sunday.

The @dallascowboys designated CB Trevon Diggs for return to practice today.

Additionally, the club signed RB Israel Abanikanda to the practice squad.

— Dallas Cowboys Public Relations (@DallasCowboysPR) November 30, 2025

More On The Dallas Cowboys Signing Israel Abanikanda

College football fans might remember him most for spending three seasons with the Pittsburgh Panthers from 2020 to 2022, rushing for 1,431 yards and 20 touchdowns in his final year and earning third-team AP All-America honors.

His good play earned him a selection by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 2023 draft, but he saw limited playing time and was cut before the end of his second season.

He would then have a brief stint with the San Francisco 49ers in 2024 before he joined the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad during the 2025 preseason. He was released after Week 1.

Now, Israel Abanikanda is getting another chance with his signing to the Dallas Cowboys training camp.

The Cowboys have put together a respectable running game this season with Javonte Williams carrying the load. He has 955 yards and eight touchdowns through the first 13 weeks of the season, both career-highs.

Israel Abanikanda adds insurance to the Cowboys’ depth charts at running back as the playoffs are around the corner.