Is There A Practice Squad Battle Between Amar Johnson and Israel Abanikanda?

The Green Bay Packers have a well-staffed running back group, although injury concerns with MarShawn Lloyd could cut into their depth. On the deeper end of the depth chart sit two running backs who have both stepped up and delivered in the preseason.

Could there be a battle going on for a practice squad spot between Amar Johnson and Israel Abanikanda?

Johnson had one of the lone highlights in Green Bay's first preseason game. After pinballing off one New York Jets defender, Johnson cut back to his left and scampered into the end zone on a 39-yard touchdown run. It was the lone TD for the Packers in their first preseason affair. Johnson followed that up with an encore against the Indianapolis Colts, where he found the end zone again and finished with seven carries and one reception.

Mostly an afterthought before the preseason, Johnson has now emerged as one of those candidates who make you stop and reconsider your assumptions about the depth chart.

Following his outing against New York, head coach Matt LaFleur

The Packers played on Saturday the next week, where Johnson finished with eight touches. He took advantage of his initial opportunities, which earned him more the next time around. Although Johnson didn't pop quite as visibly against Indianapolis, nothing in his performance on Saturday hurt his chances to scratch out a roster spot.

And then there’s Abanikanda. When the San Francisco 49ers waived him in late July, Green Bay quickly jumped in to grab the former Pittsburgh product.

The guy referred to as "Izzy" showed incredible versatility against the Colts. Abanikanda led the team in carries (12) and rushing yards (43) and found the end zone in the third quarter on a play where he was initially stood up at the three-yard line but kept his legs churning.

Afterward, Abanikanda gave praise to all the running backs on the roster.

On top of leading the charge in the ground attack for the Packers, Abanikanda had five kick returns for 120 yards and had a tackle on kick coverage for Green Bay.

It's challenging to envision a clear pathway to a roster spot, even with Lloyd's uncertain status. Lloyd suffered a hamstring injury against the Colts, and LaFleur said on Sunday that Lloyd will "miss some time” but did not clarify further.

On the surface, that would seem to open the door for a Johnson or Abanikanda to grab a roster spot if that missed time becomes significant. But there are still three backs ahead of them on the depth chart: Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson, and Chris Brooks. And the Packers typically roll with only three running backs on the active roster.

It's possible Johnson or Abanikanda could climb that ladder, but the more likely outcome is a duel for a practice squad spot. Green Bay could opt to keep both on the practice squad. Still, when you're playing the numbers game of potentially having four running backs on the active roster once Lloyd is healthy, does it make sense to have an additional two on the practice squad? Probably not.

And of course, there is the potential for another team to come sniffing around and poach either Johnson or Abanikanda if one or both land on the practice squad.

For better or worse, the Packers have two filler pieces at running back who are now giving them second thoughts about finding a way to keep them on the team. It’s a good problem to have, but it’s still a problem. And if there is just one practice squad spot between them, both players have made a strong case for themselves.

Johnson is a solid pure running back and has shown some bounce so far in the preseason, along with the ability to lower his pads and invite contact. Abanikanda gives you the option for depth at running back and the ability to play multiple roles on special teams for Rich Bisaccia.

Logistically, it would be hard to justify keeping six running backs between your active roster and practice squad. Regardless of how it shakes out, both Johnson and Abanikanda are exemplary players who are seizing the opportunities presented to them and demanding attention. The Packers probably aren't the only team keeping an eye on these two.