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FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys running back Israel Abanikanda said Friday that his faith has kept him patient while he waited for an opportunity, two days before Dallas plays the San Francisco 49ers without Tyler Goodson.
Abanikanda made the comments in video the Cowboys posted Friday from a running backs availability. Earlier in the day, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Abanikanda is the back Dallas expects to see Sunday, with Goodson out multiple weeks with a knee injury.
Abanikanda has not played in a regular-season game since 2023, and Dallas waived him twice this year before bringing him back to the practice squad both times.
“I just leave everything up to God for real. God got a plan for me, and I just go execute what He got for me,” Abanikanda said. “That’s always been my mindset. I’ve been getting ready for the opportunity. I knew the opportunity was coming too.”
He acknowledged the opening came about in an unfortunate way and said he is ready to execute.
Israel Abanikanda On Patience And His Path To Dallas
The New York Jets drafted Abanikanda in the fifth round in 2023 out of Pitt, and he ran 22 times for 70 yards in six games as a rookie. He spent time with the 49ers and the Green Bay Packers before Dallas signed him to its practice squad on Nov. 30, 2025.
Staying patient through those moves came down to one thing, Abanikanda said: “Just keep your faith in God.”
“I wouldn’t call it ups and downs. It’s kind of like a blessing, actually,” Abanikanda explained. “Feel like I grew a lot as a player and as a man on and off the field.”
He said he learned a lot along the way, that the stretch strengthened his faith, and that it “went exactly how it needed to.”
Abanikanda Credits Javonte Williams And Derrick Foster
Cowboys running backs coach Derrick Foster joined Schottenheimer’s first staff in February 2025 after coaching running backs for the New Orleans Saints in 2024. Abanikanda said Foster and Javonte Williams, the Cowboys’ starter, have both helped him with his landmarks.
“A lot of help. Things like slow down, slow down, be patient. Be patient on my landmarks,” Abanikanda said.
Patience with the ball opens up a lot, in Abanikanda’s view. “It could open up that home run. It could open up just getting a couple yards, get first down. It open up a lot,” Abanikanda said. “So it’s a good thing to be patient, actually. So just keep that in your mind.”
The running backs room leans on one another, and Williams drew Abanikanda’s most direct credit. “I learned a lot, especially from Tay. Tay taught me a lot. Coach Foster. All the running backs in the room, we all lean on each other,” Abanikanda said.
Dallas hosts San Francisco at 3:25 p.m. CT Sunday at AT&T Stadium. Kickoff is on FOX.
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