Dallas Cowboys sign Israel Abanikanda to active roster from practice squad
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 17, 2026, 9:39 PM
Last updated Sep 17, 2026

The Dallas Cowboys signed running back Israel Abanikanda to the active roster on September 12, 2026. This move follows the decision to place Malik Davis on injured reserve due to a hip injury that may be season-ending. Abanikanda returns to the active roster after being waived in August during final roster cuts and subsequently signed to the practice squad. He joins a running back group that already includes Javonte Williams, Emari Demercado, and Hunter Luepke. The organization previously acquired Abanikanda last November following his time with the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, and Green Bay Packers. Team personnel indicate that Emari Demercado is expected to handle a larger workload in the backfield while Abanikanda provides depth.
- •Israel Abanikanda joined the active roster from the practice squad on September 12, 2026.
- •Malik Davis moved to injured reserve with a potential season-ending hip injury.
- •Abanikanda was previously waived by the team in August before joining the practice squad.
- •The Cowboys backfield currently features Javonte Williams, Emari Demercado, and Hunter Luepke.
- 9:39 PMYahoo Sports — Cowboys bring waived RB back to practice squad
- 1:04 PMYahoo Sports — Cowboys add another running back to the active roster
- 6:41 PMYahoo Sports — Cowboys sign RB Israel Abanikanda to the active roster
"RB Israel Abanikanda went from practice squad to active roster to inactive to waivers and back to the Cowboys' practice squad, all in the past 6 days.
"Cowboys acquire a new player for the roster
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 17, 2026, 9:39 PMCowboys bring waived RB back to practice squad
RB Israel Abanikanda went from practice squad to active roster to inactive to waivers and back to the Cowboys' practice squad, all in the past 6 days.
- Yahoo SportsSep 15, 2026, 1:04 PMCowboys add another running back to the active roster
Cowboys acquire a new player for the roster
- Yahoo SportsSep 12, 2026, 6:41 PMCowboys sign RB Israel Abanikanda to the active roster
The Cowboys have made a roster move
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