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.
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Kene Nwangwu: Waived after failed physical
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The Saints waived Nwangwu (undisclosed) on Thursday with a failed physical designation, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Nwangwu was claimed off waivers by the Saints on Wednesday after he was cut by the Vikings on Tuesday. The 2021 fourth-round pick was unable to pass his physical, and he will revert back to the waiver wire. Nwangwu appeared in nine regular-season games for the Vikings last season, during which he turned five carries into 13 yards while playing 106 snaps (13 on offense, 93 on special teams).
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Not in Minnesota's plans
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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.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Getting more reps this summer
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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.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Clears concussion protocol
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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.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Limited to start week
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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.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Minimal role in win
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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.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Ruled out for Week 8
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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.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Questionable with illness
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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.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Not ready for return
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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.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Practices fully Thursday
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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.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: No limitations in practice
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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.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Remains sidelined
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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.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Still not practicing
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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.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Remains sidelined
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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.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Misses second straight practice
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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.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: In mix for backup role
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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.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Effective on special teams in 2022
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Nwangwu tallied nine rushes for 14 yards to go along with two receptions (on two targets) for 21 yards over 17 games during the 2022 regular season. He also returned 35 kickoffs for a career-high 920 yards and a touchdown.
Nwangwu logged the third kickoff-return touchdown of his career while continuing to almost exclusively play in this phase. The second-year running back actually logged fewer offensive snaps (18) than he did during his rookie season (27), when he played just 11 games. Instead, top running backs Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison once again carried Minnesota's rushing game. With the team currently $24.5 million over the projected 2023 salary cap, it's unclear how the Vikings will handle the futures of Cook and Mattison, the latter of whom is set to become an unrestricted free agent. The potential departure of either of these two backs could open up more opportunities for Nwangwu in 2023.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Dealing with illness
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Nwangwu is questionable for Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Giants due to an illness, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Nwangwu didn't practice Friday due to an illness, and his status for the wild-card matchup is officially in question. If the reserve running back doesn't suit up, Jalen Reagor, K.J. Osborn and Ty Chandler would be candidates for kick-return duties.
