The Green Bay Packers raised some eyebrows when they gave Josh Jacobs a four-year contract last offseason, as the team doesn’t often spend big on free agents, so it was surprising to see them open the vault for a running back, of all things.

Jacobs proved to be worth every penny, and although he has been among the most durable backs in the NFL in recent years, there is still a need to make sure there is insurance around him in case he needs a breather or does get injured at some point.

That is why Green Bay recently added a veteran running back.

“The Packers [have been] awarded running back Israel Abanikanda off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers, per a league source,” Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston wrote on X.

#Packers awarded running back Israel Abanikanda off waivers from #49ers per a league source @KPRC2

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 25, 2025

The Packers showed some interest in Abanikanda prior to the 2023 NFL Draft, when he was selected in the fifth round by the New York Jets.

Abanikanda appeared in six games for the Jets as a rookie, rushing 22 times for 70 yards.

He didn’t appear in a regular-season game in 2024, and he’ll now try to crack the active roster with his third club.

Jacobs is slated to be the starter, and not only is Emanuel Wilson set to be his backup after a strong breakout campaign, MarShawn Lloyd is back in the mix after appearing in one game last season.

It’s going to be difficult to make the active roster weekly, but Abanikanda can serve as a depth piece to give fans comfort knowing that the team is in good hands if someone goes down.

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