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Packers Cut Ex-Jets RB After Just One Month, Josh Jacobs Reflects on Ruthless RB Competition

 

Green Bay, WI – August 9

NFL training camp can be unforgiving, and for Israel Abanikanda, it was a lesson learned the hard way. The former New York Jets running back, signed by the Green Bay Packers just a month ago with hopes of rejuvenating his young career, was released Tuesday amid a fierce battle for roster spots in a crowded running back room.

Abanikanda, a former fifth-round pick with flashes of promise in New York, arrived in Green Bay eager to compete for a backup role. However, the emergence of undrafted rookie Amar Johnson, the strong camp performance of Chris Brooks and Emmanuel Wilson, and the steady presence of All-Pro Josh Jacobs left little margin for error. Coaches praised Abanikanda’s effort but ultimately chose to prioritize versatility and special teams value, signaling the end of his short Packers tenure.

Head coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but stressed the reality of NFL competition: “Every spot is earned, not given. We have a talented group, and we have to make tough calls for the best of the team.”

Veteran leader Josh Jacobs, the clear-cut RB1, spoke candidly about the cut after Wednesday’s practice. Having witnessed similar stories throughout his career, Jacobs offered perspective on the relentless nature of the league:

“This league, especially in the running back room, is all about survival. Every year, every camp, you see good dudes come in hungry, but not everyone can stay. We push each other, we compete, but at the end of the day, there’s only so many helmets. I respect Izzy for how he worked, but this is Green Bay — you gotta bring something special, every single day, or the next man is right behind you.”

With Abanikanda gone, the Packers’ running back rotation now features Jacobs, rookie MarShawn Lloyd, and a heated battle between Chris Brooks, Emmanuel Wilson, and Amar Johnson for the final roster spots. As preseason grinds on, every snap and every drill grows in importance — not just for who makes the team, but for who will earn meaningful touches alongside Jacobs come September.

The NFL is a business of opportunity, heartbreak, and relentless competition. In Green Bay, that reality is felt most deeply in a running back room where nothing is guaranteed, and every day could be someone’s last.

 

Raiders Reunite with a Former Starter to Fortify the Offensive Line
Las Vegas, NV   The Las Vegas Raiders have brought back a familiar face in a move that screams both urgency and savvy: versatile offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor is returning to the Silver & Black on a one-year deal (terms not disclosed), reuniting with the franchise where he logged some of the best football of his career and immediately fortifying a position group that has been stretched thin. Eluemunor, 31, started for the Raiders from 2021–2023, showing rare position flexibility across right tackle and guard while anchoring pass protection against premier edge rushers. His technique, anchor, and ability to handle long-arm power made him a steadying force during multiple playoff pushes. After departing Vegas, Eluemunor spent time elsewhere refining his craft, but a confluence of roster needs and scheme familiarity has set the stage for a timely homecoming. For the Raiders—fighting to keep pace in a rugged AFC—this is about stability and fit. Injuries and week-to-week availability on the right side of the line have forced constant shuffling; protection packages have leaned heavily on chips and condensed splits to survive obvious passing downs. Eluemunor’s return allows the staff to plug him at RT or slide him inside at RG, restoring balance to protections and widening the run-game menu (duo, inside zone, and the toss/ pin-pull that Vegas fans love when the edge is sealed). “Jermaine knows who we are and how we want to play,” a team source said. “He brings ballast. Assignment sound, physical, and smart—he raises the floor for the entire unit.” Beyond the X’s and O’s, there’s an unmistakable emotional charge to this reunion. Eluemunor was a locker-room favorite in his previous stint—professional, detail-driven, and accountable. The belief internally is that his presence stabilizes communication on the right side (IDs, slides, and pass-off rules vs. games and simulated pressures), which in turn unlocks more vertical concepts and keeps the quarterback cleaner late in games. On social media, Raider Nation lit up the timeline with a simple refrain: “Welcome back, Jem.” Many fans called the deal the exact kind of “rival-poach, ready-to-play” move a contender makes in October: low friction, high impact, zero learning curve. What it means on the field (immediately): Pass pro: Fewer emergency chips, more five-out releases—OC can re-open deeper intermediate shots without living in max-protect. Run game: Better edge control on toss/duo; more confidence running to the right on money downs. Depth & versatility: One injury doesn’t force a cascade of position changes; Eluemunor can cover two spots with starting-level competency. The timetable? Swift. Because Eluemunor already speaks the language—terminology, splits, cadence rules—he could suit up as early as this weekend if the medicals/check-ins continue to trend positive. The message is clear: the Raiders aren’t waiting around for the line to gel—they’re engineering it. If Jermaine Eluemunor plays to his Raider résumé, this reunion could be the precise mid-season jolt that steadies the offense and keeps the Silver & Black firmly in the postseason race. Raider Nation, the question writes itself: Plug-and-play stopgap—or the catalyst that reclaims the right side