Tag: Abanikanda

Aug 17, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Quintez Cephus (81) before the game against the New York Giants at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

49ers sign WR Quintez Cephus, cut RB Israel Abanikanda

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The San Francisco 49ers signed wide receiver Quintez Cephus to a one-year deal on Thursday and waived running back Israel Abanikanda.

Cephus, 27, was a fifth-round pick by Detroit in the 2020 NFL Draft and last appeared in a game with the Lions in 2022. The league suspended him for the 2023 season for betting on NFL games.

Cephus caught 37 passes for 568 yards and four touchdowns in 22 games (six starts) for Detroit from 2020-22. After being reinstated by the league in April 2024, he spent time with the Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans and Los Angeles Rams.

The 49ers needed another wideout after Jacob Cowing sustained a hamstring injury in Wednesday’s practice.

Abanikanda, 22, was a fifth-round pick by the New York Jets in 2023. He rushed 22 times for 70 yards and caught seven passes for 43 yards in six games with the Jets in 2023. The 49ers claimed him off waivers in December 2024.

–Field Level Media

East Rutherford, NJ -- August 24, 2024 -- Israel Abanikanda of the Jets runs the ball in the first half. The New York Giants and New York Jets meet at MetLife Stadium in the final preseason game of the 2024 season for both teams.

49ers claim RB Israel Abanikanda off waivers from Jets

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The San Francisco 49ers claimed running back Israel Abanikanda off waivers from the New York Jets on Tuesday, one day after placing running backs Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason on injured reserve.

The Jets released Abanikanda on Monday after adding Kene Nwangwu to the active roster. Nwagwu had been a practice-squad elevation for the Jets last Sunday against Seattle and returned a kickoff for a touchdown in the game.

Abanikanda, 22, was a fifth-round draft pick by the Jets in 2023. After running 22 times for 70 yards and catching seven passes for 43 yards in six appearances as a rookie, Abanikanda did not play a regular-season game for New York in 2024, buried on the depth chart behind Breece Hall and others.

When the Niners placed McCaffrey and Mason on IR, rookie Isaac Guerendo was left as the only healthy running back on their active roster.

In Sunday night’s loss at the Buffalo Bills, McCaffrey left the field in pain in the second quarter and was diagnosed with a posterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee. Mason also suffered a high ankle sprain in the game.

McCaffrey was playing in just his fourth game of the season after missing the first eight because of Achilles tendinitis in both legs. He was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year last season, when he led the league with 2,023 yards from scrimmage: a league-leading 1,459 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns plus 67 catches for 564 yards and seven scores.

Mason is the leading rusher for San Francisco (5-7) this season with 789 yards and three touchdowns on 153 carries. It was his third season in the league.

–Field Level Media