The Jets placed Nwangwu (hand) on injured reserve Saturday, Ethan Greenberg and Eric Allen of the Jets' official site report.
Nwangwu is dealing with a hand injury, and with New York having just four games remaining on the regular-season slate and already eliminated from playoff contention, his campaign has come to an end. The fourth-year tailback will finish his first season with the Jets with no offensive touches over two games, but he made an impact as a returner, taking a kickoff 99 yards to paydirt in the Week 13 loss to Seattle. Xavier Gipson will likely take over as the Jets' lead kick returner with Nwangwu now sidelined.
... See More... See Less
Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Estimated as DNP
Rotowire
Nwangwu (hand) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's practice estimation, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
The Iowa State product played 18 total snaps (one offensive and 17 on special teams) without recording a stat in Sunday's loss to the Dolphins, seemingly sustaining a hand injury in the process. Wednesday's practice was just a walkthrough, however, if Nwangwu cannot upgrade to at least limited participation Thursday or Friday, Xavier Gipson likely will serve as the Jets' top kick returner in the Week 15 matchup against the Jaguars.
... See More... See Less
Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Scores 99-yard return TD in debut
Rotowire
Nwangwu returned three kickoffs for 157 yards, including a 99-yard touchdown, in Sunday's 26-21 loss to the Seahawks.
Nwangwu made an instant impact in his Jets debut after being elevated from the practice squad. His 99-yard kickoff-return touchdown gave the Jets a 21-7 lead in the second quarter, but Seattle scored 19 unanswered points from there to drop the Jets to 3-9. Given Nwangwu's success in this game, he'll likely be elevated from the practice squad to return kickoffs again in Week 14 against the Dolphins.
... See More... See Less
Kene Nwangwu: Finds new opportunity
Rotowire
Nwangwu (undisclosed) signed with the Jets' practice squad Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Nwangwu was somewhat surprisingly waived by the Vikings on Aug. 27, and after being claimed by the Saints, was cut loose again with a failed physical designation. Whatever injury the Iowa State product was tending to, his signing with the Jets appears to indicate it's now in the past. The 26-year-old could be emergency running back depth for the team, as well as a potential candidate for a returner role he's filled in the past with Minnesota.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Not in Minnesota's plans
Rotowire
The Vikings plan to cut or trade Nwangwu on Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
It's a bit surprising given recent reports about his progress as a running back, but the Vikings apparently weren't won over and may also have doubts about Nwangwu's utility as a kick returner under the new rules. The 2021 fourth-round pick could generate some interest from other teams, if only because he has 4.32 speed and three career touchdowns as a return man. The Vikings are also parting ways with Myles Gaskin, temporarily leaving Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler as the only running backs on their roster. They'll presumably bring someone back later this week or else add a waiver claim or free agent.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Getting more reps this summer
Rotowire
Nwangwu has taken more reps in training camp than in years past, but he's still the clear No. 3 running back on the Vikings' depth chart, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
The veteran running back appeared in just nine games last season, dealing with a back injury that landed him on injured reserve early in the 2023 campaign. He had just five carries for 13 yards on offense. He's been an excellent kick returner when healthy, however. While he's not likely to get many carries behind Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler, Nwangwu at least looks like he'll be next up should one of the top two backs succumb to an injury.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Clears concussion protocol
Rotowire
Nwangwu (concussion) was a full participant in Friday's practice and does not carry an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Raiders.
Nwangwu logged a full practice session Thursday after being limited Wednesday. His lack of an injury designation indicates that he was able to clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol. He'll provide backfield depth Sunday behind Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler while operating as the Vikings' main kick returner.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Limited to start week
Rotowire
Nwangwu (concussion) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Nwangwu played eight snaps on special teams and returned a kickoff for 38 yards in the Vikings' Week 12 loss to the Bears, but he may have sustained a concussion at some point along the way. With the benefit of a Week 13 bye, Nwangwu was able to return to the field for the Vikings' first Week 14 practice, but he'll still need to upgrade to full participation by Friday and gain clearance from an independent neurologist in order to play Sunday against the Raiders. If available this weekend, Nwangwu would likely handle kick-return duties while serving as the No. 3 back behind Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Minimal role in win
Rotowire
Nwangwu rushed two times for nine yards in Sunday's 27-19 win over the Saints.
Nwangwu's two rushing attempts were his first carries of the season, as Sunday's game was only his second appearance as a member of the active roster in the 2023 campaign. Though the veteran hasn't been a factor for the Vikings this season, he could see a slight increase in opportunities in Week 11 if starting running back Alexander Mattison misses time due to a concussion. With that said, Nwangwu would likely play behind Ty Chandler, who proved to be an effective option out of the backfield against the Saints. The 25-year-old Nwangwu will look to make the most of his opportunities if called upon to be the No. 2 back when the Vikings visit the Broncos in Week 11.
Nwangwu (illness) was not listed on the Vikings' injury report Wednesday.
Nwangwu was ruled out of Sunday's contest against the Packers with an illness but seems to be on track to return in Week 9 against the Falcons. Nwangwu made his 2023 debut in Week 7 against the 49ers after missing the first six games with a back injury. He contributes to the Vikings more as a kick returner than out of the backfield, despite the struggles of Cam Akers and Alexander Mattison in the running game.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Ruled out for Week 8
Rotowire
Nwangwu (illness) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's contest against the Packers, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Nwangwu returned from injured reserve Oct. 18 and made his 2023 debut in Week 7 against the 49ers. His return has been short-lived, though, as he was unable to practice Friday due to an illness. With Nwangwu out for Sunday's divisional matchup against the Packers, Ty Chandler is the most likely candidate to take over kick return duties.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Questionable with illness
Rotowire
Nwangwu (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Green Bay.
Nwangwu missed practice Friday due to an illness, putting his status for Week 8 in limbo. If he can't suit up Sunday, Ty Chandler would likely fill in as Minnesota's primary kick returner.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Not ready for return
Rotowire
Nwangwu (back) was not activated from injured reserve Saturday, per the NFL transaction report.
Nwangwu has been out for the entirety of the season but had his practice window opened earlier this week. He participated in Thursday's session fully, but that won't be enough for him to be ready for game action against the Bears on Sunday. Nwangwu's next chance to play will come in Week 7 against against the 49ers.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Practices fully Thursday
Rotowire
Nwangwu (back) practiced fully Thursday.
Nwangwu remains on injured reserve and is waiting to make his season debut. With Alexander Mattison, Cam Akers and Ty Chandler on the depth chart, the Vikings can be patient with Nwangwu. He's unlikely to have an offensive role unless there are multiple backfield injuries.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: No limitations in practice
Rotowire
Nwangwu (back) was a full practice participant Wednesday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Designated for return from injured reserve earlier in the day, Nwangwu ended up taking part in his first practice of the regular season without any limitations. He may be back for Sunday's game against Chicago but isn't likely to have much of a role on offense, if any, behind Alexander Mattison and Cam Akers. Instead, Nwangwu will likely make his biggest impact on special teams, after he was a second-team All-Pro selection in 2022 thanks to his prowess as a kickoff returner.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Remains sidelined
Rotowire
Nwangwu (undisclosed) did not play in Saturday's preseason loss to Tennessee.
There's been no update on Nwangwu's status, as he's been sidelined for most of training camp. Ty Chandler looks set to begin the season as the No. 2 running back at this point with Nwangwu hurt.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Still not practicing
Rotowire
Nwangwu (undisclosed) remained sidelined at Thursday's practice, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
There's been no update on Nwangwu's status, as he's been sidelined for most of training camp. With Ty Chandler performing well in the preseason opener and stringing together strong practices, Nwangwu might be losing any shot he had at the Vikings' No. 2 running back job.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Remains sidelined
Rotowire
Nwangwu (undisclosed) did not practice Monday, Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Nwangwu also sat out the team's preseason loss to the Seahawks on Thursday and dealt with an undisclosed injury earlier in camp, although it's not clear if the two are related. The Iowa State product is believed to still be in competition with Ty Chandler for the backup role to Alexander Mattison. However, if Nwangwu continues to miss time, he may fall short in that battle, at least to start the season.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Misses second straight practice
Rotowire
Nwangwu (undisclosed) sat out a second consecutive practice Tuesday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
This news comes on the heels of Alexander Mattison leaving Tuesday's session early with a visible limp, per Lewis. Nwangwu's health issue isn't known, but with he and Mattison less than 100 percent at the moment, the Vikings' healthy backfield options consist of Ty Chandler and rookie seventh-round pick DeWayne McBride.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: In mix for backup role
Rotowire
Nwangwu "appears to be [the No. 2 running back] behind Alexander Mattision," Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports, based on his early observations at training camp.
While it's too early in camp to get a concrete read on the Vikings' running back pecking order, Minnesota at least appears set to hold an open competition for the top backup spot behind Mattison, now that Dalvin Cook is no longer in the mix. With that in mind, Nwangwu -- a 2021 fourth-round pick -- will jostle for slotting with 2022 fifth-round pick Ty Chandler and 2023 seventh-round pick DeWayne McBride. Further context will be revealed once the team's unofficial depth chart is posted, but based on Mizutani's report, Nwangwu is a player to monitor in the coming weeks.
