KENE NWANGWU NEWS

Finds new opportunity Nwangwu (undisclosed) signed with the Jets' practice squad Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Finds new opportunity Nwangwu (undisclosed) signed with the Jets' practice squad Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Impact Nwangwu was somewhat surprisingly waived by the Vikings on Aug. 27, but after being claimed by the Saints, was waived again with a failed physical designation. Whatever injury the Iowa State product was tending to, appears to be in the past due to his signing by the Jets. The 26-year-old could be emergency running back depth for the team, but maybe more likely a potential return man option in the future.

SEPTEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Waived after failed physical The Saints waived Nwangwu (undisclosed) on Thursday with a failed physical designation, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Impact 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).

AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE

Five Things to Know about Saints running back Kene Nwangwu Saints add three-year veteran running back and former All-Pro kick returner

AUGUST 29 • NEWORLEANSSAINTS.COM

Kene Nwangwu joins the New Orleans Saints | Meet the Team Photos New Orleans Saints announced they were awarded running back Kene Nwangwu off waivers from Minnesota on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. Check out...

AUGUST 29 • NEWORLEANSSAINTS.COM

Claimed by New Orleans The Saints claimed Nwangwu off waivers Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Impact The Vikings waived Nwangwu a day earlier, electing to keep only two running backs on their initial 53-man roster. The Saints have four, at least temporarily, with Nwangwu joining Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams and Jordan Mims while Kendre Miller (hamstring) starts the season on injured reserve. The Saints may view Nwagnwu as a kick returner more so than a running back, considering he has three career touchdowns on special teams.

AUGUST 28 • ROTOWIRE

Not in Minnesota's plans The Vikings plan to cut or trade Nwangwu on Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Impact 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 return 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 on kick returns. 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 and/or free agent.

AUGUST 27 • ROTOWIRE

Vikings running back Kene Nwangwu enjoying healthy progress, trying show he's more than a returner Kene Nwangwu’s three touchdowns for the Vikings have come on kick returns, but the dynamic speedster is flashing his growth as a running bac...

AUGUST 21 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Another strong preseason game Nwangwu had seven carries for 45 yards in Saturday's preseason win over Cleveland.

Impact Even with the Vikings resting almost all their starters, Nwangwu had a second impressive preseason performance. Nwangwu has had a role in the offense as the No. 3 running back in training camp and looks to have locked up the job at this point in the preseason. While he's not likely to get many carries behind Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler, Nwangwu at least looks like a viable option should the top two get hurt. He'll also likely return kickoffs.

AUGUST 18 • ROTOWIRE

Scores TD in preseason opener Nwangwu had five carries for 52 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown, in Saturday's preseason win over Las Vegas.

Impact Nwangwu has had a role in the offense as the No. 3 running back in training camp and looked good in his preseason debut. He showed off his speed on his his long touchdown run when he turned on the jets after finding a large hole in the defense. 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.

AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE

Can't-Miss Play: 48-yard TD dash! Kene Nwangwu ignites turbo on speedy score Minnesota Vikings Kene Nwangwu ignites turbo on speedy score.

AUGUST 10 • NFL.COM

Getting more reps this summer Nwangwu has taken more reps in training camp than in years past, but he's still a clear third on the depth chart at running back, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Impact 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 an impact kick return when healthy, however. While he's not likely to get many carries behind Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler, it sounds like he could be next in line should there be an injury.

AUGUST 1 • ROTOWIRE

Healthy scratch Sunday Nwangwu (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Falcons.

Impact Nwangwu was absent from Week 8 due to an illness, but he didn't appear on the team's injury report this week. The Iowa State product's next chance to suit up will be in Week 10 against the Saints.

NOVEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Avoids injury report Wednesday Nwangwu (illness) was not listed on the Vikings' injury report Wednesday.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Avoids injury report Wednesday Nwangwu (illness) was not listed on the Vikings' injury report Wednesday.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Week 8 Nwangwu (illness) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's contest against the Packers, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable with illness Nwangwu (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Green Bay.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns from IR The Vikings reinstated Nwangwu (back) from injured reserve Wednesday.

Impact Nwangwu has regained health and is poised to make his season debut Monday against the 49ers. Though he'll fortify a backfield that also includes Alexander Mattison, Cam Akers and Ty Chandler, Nwangwu is expected to see most of his snaps on special teams. The 25-year-old has been one of the league's top kick returners since entering the NFL in 2021, taking three kicks back for touchdowns while averaging 28.3 yards per return.

OCTOBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Effective on special teams in 2022 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 fo...

Impact 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.

JANUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will play Sunday Nwangwu (illness) is active Sunday against the Giants.

Impact Nwangwu's active status Sunday doesn't come as a surprise as it was reported earlier by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network that he would play. However, his absence from the team's inactive list does make it official. He should handle the team's kick returns, while also being emergency depth at running back.

JANUARY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to be active Nwangwu (illness) is should play Sunday against the Giants, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Impact Nwangwu logged a DNP on Friday, but he's recovered enough that he's expected to take the field for the wild-card round. Although the second-year pro doesn't see much work on offense, he is the team's kick returner, and it looks like he'll be handling those duties Sunday.

JANUARY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with illness 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.

Impact 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.

JANUARY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Justin Jefferson, Andrew DePaola & Kene Nwangwu Named to All-Pro Teams Minnesota Vikings Latest News

JANUARY 13, 2023 • VIKINGS.COM

Gets time at RB Nwangwu notched five carries for 13 yards and reeled in his only target for 16 yards during Sunday's 29-13 win against the Bears.

Impact Nwangwu had just four carries all season before the game as he got some playing time at running back in the second half while starters were rested ahead of the playoffs. He'll likely return to just his special teams role in the playoffs.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

The Vikings Audible: C.J. Ham & Kene Nwangwu On Regrouping During A Short Week, The Importance Of Special Teams | INDY | Week 15 Welcome to the Week 15 edition of The Vikings Audible presented by 3M. It's a fun and short week with 2 of the guys who are 'jack of all tra...

DECEMBER 16, 2022 • VIKINGS.COM