Who Should I Start? Pierre Strong Jr. or Israel Abanikanda


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.7 4.3 0.0 0.1 0.7 0.0

Pierre Strong Jr. News

Packers Elevate Pierre Strong Jr. from Practice Squad for Week 15

Saturday, December 13, 2:27 PM

The Green Bay Packers have elevated running back Pierre Strong Jr. from their practice squad to the active roster ahead of the team's Week 15 matchup against the Denver Broncos. With top Green Bay running backs Josh Jacobs (knee) and Emanuel Wilson (illness) both questionable for Sunday, the Packers could be forced to turn to Strong Jr. and Chris Brooks in the backfield. The 27-year-old Strong Jr. has yet to appear in a game so far in 2025. Across 14 games with the Cleveland Browns in 2024, he recorded 212 scrimmage yards on 40 touches. Brooks has just 66 total carries across 37 career NFL games, so it's unclear who Green Bay would turn to as the lead back if both Jacobs and Wilson are out. Fantasy managers may want to stash Strong Jr. off the waiver wire just in case he finds himself in a prominent role come game time on Sunday.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
1.3 8.6 0.1 0.1 0.8 0.0

Israel Abanikanda News

Israel Abanikanda Exceeding Expectations in Cowboys Camp

Friday, August 21, 12:12 PM

Dallas Cowboys running back Israel Abanikanda has exceeded expectations in training camp so far, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Abanikanda has not appeared in an NFL game since his rookie season in 2023, when he recorded 113 scrimmage yards on 29 touches across six games with the New York Jets. He spent the final portion of the 2025 season on the Cowboys' practice squad and is now competing for a spot on the team's 53-man roster this summer. Dallas has a clear leader in the backfield in running back Javonte Williams. However, the team's RB2 job appears to be an open competition between Jaydon Blue (shoulder), Malik Davis, and Phil Mafah. With all three of those players largely unproven as NFL contributors, Abanikanda may have a chance to work his way into the mix for the Cowboys. In deeper league formats, Abanikanda may be a name for fantasy managers to keep an eye on throughout the remainder of the preseason.


Pierre Strong Jr. vs. Israel Abanikanda

Still trying to decide between Strong Jr. and Abanikanda? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Pierre Strong Jr. is projected to score 0.7 points this week while Israel Abanikanda is projected to score 1.3 points.