Israel Abanikanda #25 of the New York Jets
The New York Jets have made some notable roster moves following their tough 26-21 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The defeat may have been disappointing, but there were still some bright spots in the game — and one in particular earned major recognition.
Kene Nwangwu, who put on a show with a 99-yard touchdown return and forced a fumble, was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. The standout performance was enough to earn him a promotion to the Jets’ 53-man active roster, solidifying his place on the team for the remainder of the season.
In order to make room for Nwangwu, the Jets had to make a difficult decision: they released running back Israel Abanikanda, the team’s fifth-round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft. Despite high hopes when he was drafted, Abanikanda did not make any appearances for the Jets this season. His release opened up a spot for Nwangwu, who has been impressing with his explosive abilities on special teams.
Abanikanda Finds a New Home with the 49ers
Following his release, Abanikanda was placed on the waiver wire, and the San Francisco 49ers wasted no time in scooping him up. The 49ers, dealing with a season-ending injury to All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, saw an opportunity to add depth to their backfield and signed Abanikanda to their 53-man roster.
For Abanikanda, the move to the 49ers represents a fresh start with a team that’s had its own share of injuries but remains in playoff contention. The former Jets draft pick will now get the chance to prove himself in a new environment, potentially contributing to the Niners’ offense as they navigate through the rest of the season without McCaffrey.
The Jets’ Special Teams Shuffle
For the Jets, the decision to promote Nwangwu was an easy one given his standout performance. Nwangwu’s return skills have long been one of his strongest assets, and his 99-yard touchdown return against the Seahawks was a game-changing play. With Nwangwu now officially part of the active roster, the Jets will continue to rely on his explosiveness and playmaking ability to help shift momentum in future games.
As for Abanikanda, his short stint with the Jets was marked by the fact that he never saw the field for a regular-season game. While the Jets had high hopes for the running back after selecting him in the fifth round, it’s clear they didn’t find the fit they expected. Moving on from Abanikanda opens the door for Nwangwu to contribute in more ways, especially on special teams.
Looking Ahead for the Jets
With the Jets’ playoff hopes still alive, these roster moves could prove to be important as the season progresses. Nwangwu’s presence on the active roster strengthens the special teams unit and gives New York a dynamic return weapon. Meanwhile, Abanikanda will now get another shot with a contender in the 49ers, and his future in San Francisco will be interesting to watch.
As the 2024 season rolls on, the Jets are hoping that these changes, along with improvements across their roster, will be enough to push them toward postseason contention. Keep an eye on more roster updates as the team navigates the rest of the season.
