NOVEMBER 30, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
KENE NWANGWU #34 - RUNNING BACK - NEW YORK JETS
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Kene Nwangwu Becomes Third Viking to Win NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in 2022 Nwangwu’s first kickoff return touchdown of the season won him the award.
Returns kick for TD in Week 12 Nwangwu returned five kickoffs for 166 yards -- including one for a 97-yard touchdown -- in the Vikings' 33-26 win over the Patriots in Week 12.
Impact Nwangwu was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week on the strength of his big return, becoming the third Vikings player to take home the honor this season. The second-year running back out of Iowa State has played just seven snaps on offense all season but leads the NFL with 620 kickoff return yards.
NOVEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Kene Nwangwu Named NFC Special Teams Player of Week Minnesota Vikings Latest News
NOVEMBER 30, 2022 • VIKINGS.COM
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NOVEMBER 29, 2022 • VIKINGS.COM
Kene Nwangwu's Third Career Kickoff Return Touchdown Sparks Vikings to Victory Nwangwu finally broke one for the first time this season, and it happened at a huge time.
NOVEMBER 25, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Stunning Skycam angle catches Kene Nwangwu's 97-yard kick-off return on sideline for Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings running back Kene Nwangwu's tightrope act down the sideline for a 97-yard kick-off return against the New England Patriots...
NOVEMBER 25, 2022 • SKY.COM
Kene Nwangwu's 97-yard Kick Return TD Spices Up Thanksgiving Win by Vikings Minnesota Vikings Latest News
NOVEMBER 25, 2022 • VIKINGS.COM
Kene Nwangwu Talks His Kickoff Return Touchdown Against the New England Patriots in Week 12
NOVEMBER 25, 2022 • YOUTUBE
Can't-Miss Play: Kene Nwangwu's sideline tightrope act burns Pats on 97-yard kickoff return TD Minnesota Vikings running back Kene Nwangwu's tightrope act down the sideline burns the New England Patriots special teams on a 97-yard kick...
NOVEMBER 25, 2022 • NFL.COM
Four total touches Nwangwu gained four yards on two carries and also recorded two receptions for eight yards in Saturday's preseason loss to the 49ers.
Impact Nwangwu worked behind Alexander Mattison while Dalvin Cook (rest) sat out. He saw carries on only two offensive possessions, however, and didn't have any meaningful production. Nwangwu figures to do the majority of his production as Minnesota's kick returner this season, assuming the backfield remains relatively healthy.
AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Looks healthy Sunday Nwangwu (leg) rushed seven times for 41 yards and caught both of his targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 26-20 preseason loss to the Raiders.
Impact Nwangwu looked crisp in his return from a minor soft-tissue injury to his leg, flashing the explosiveness that he displayed as a rookie returner last season (two kick-return touchdowns). The 24-year-old figures to have a lock on the kickoff return job in Minnesota, but he has carried over his excellent YPC totals -- albeit in smaller sample sizes -- from his time at Iowa State (5.9 YPC in his final two seasons). Nwangwu probably won't see enough playing time with the talented one-two combo of Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison ahead of him on the Vikings' running back depth chart, but there appears to be potential future fantasy goodness within this young athlete, should the opportunity arise for him to see enough touches on a per-week basis at some point this year (or with another club in the future). As for 2022, Nwangwu will have to fend off Ty Chandler (five carries for 50 yards Sunday) to keep his spot at third on the depth chart heading into the regular season.
AUGUST 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Kene Nwangwu & Ty Chandler Impress in Vikings Run Game at Las Vegas Minnesota Vikings Latest News
AUGUST 15, 2022 • VIKINGS.COM
Back to practice Nwangwu (leg) returned to practice Saturday, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Impact The second-year running back missed just four days of practice with a soft-tissue injury in his leg. Nwangwu faces an uphill battle for meaningful playing time with Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler all firmly ahead of him on the depth chart, but his value as a return specialist should guarantee the 24-year-old a spot on the 53-man roster.
AUGUST 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Day-to-day with leg injury Nwangwu is considered day-to-day with a soft-tissue injury in his leg, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Impact Nwangwu didn't practice Tuesday but is expected back in the not-too-distant future. His value on special teams should ensure the 2021 fourth-round pick of a roster spot, but earning work on offense will be a challenge in a backfield that also has Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison and rookie fifth-round pick Ty Chandler. Nwangwu's absence from practice should leave more reps for Chandler, in particular.
AUGUST 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Lunchbreak: Kene Nwangwu Among 'Top 25 Under-the-Radar' Players for 2022 Minnesota Vikings Latest News
AUGUST 1, 2022 • VIKINGS.COM
Vikings commentator thinks Kene Nwangwu could beat out Alexander Mattison Kene Nwangwu’s speed might be too great to ignore for the new Vikings coaching staff.
JULY 5, 2022 • USATODAY.COM
Daniels Hopes to Maximize Kick Return Opportunities for Kene Nwangwu Minnesota Vikings Latest News
MAY 26, 2022 • VIKINGS.COM
Daniels on Nwangwu's Explosiveness and Potential, "Full Competition" For Both Kicker and Punter This Offseason, Candidates For The Punt Return Job and More Special Teams Coordinator Matt Daniels addressed the media from the TCO Performance Center on Tuesday.
MAY 24, 2022 • VIKINGS.COM
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Jirehl Brock's time has arrived at Iowa StateAPRIL 13, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
One touch in season finale Nwangwu ran one time for four yards during Week 18's 31-17 win over the Bears.
Impact With Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison demanding the majority of touches, Nwangwu struggled to find consistent work out of Minnesota's backfield. He finished the 2021 campaign with 13 rushes for 61 yards and four catches for nine yards. However, he did make a big impact on special teams and was the only player in the NFL this season to record multiple kick returns for touchdowns. The Vikings have Cook, Mattison and Nwangwu all under contract for 2022, so barring drastic change, their backfield is expected to look the same next year.
JANUARY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Non-factor in loss Nwangwu ran five times for eight yards and caught both of his targets for five yards during Sunday's 30-23 loss to the Rams.
Impact Nwangwu operated as the primary backup to Alexander Mattison with Dalvin Cook sidelined due to COVID-19 protocols. The 23-year-old saw a season-high seven touches, but he failed to make an impact with the increased opportunities. The Vikings continue to try to get the electric return man more involved in the offense, but so far the experiment hasn't translated into fantasy production. Fantasy managers should monitor Cooks' status throughout the week, but even if he is sidelined again, Nwangwu will likely be a risky fantasy option against the Packers in Week 17.
DECEMBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Impresses with limited touches Nwangwu had three carries for 33 yards during Monday's divisional win over the Bears.
Impact Nwangwu operated as the No. 2 option behind Dalvin Cook with Alexander Mattison (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list, and he showcased some explosiveness despite only logging three touches. He also returned two kickoffs for 51 yards. The rookie fourth-round pick isn't a likely candidate to return fantasy value as long Cook remains healthy, especially when Mattison returns to the lineup, but he's worth keeping an eye on in dynasty formats.
DECEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Is Kene Nwangwu a good running back? The Vikings might have to find out It’s time for Vikings rookie Kene Nwangwu to step up on offense.
DECEMBER 14, 2021 • USATODAY.COM
Works as secondary back Nwangwu had two carries for zero yards, caught two of three targets for four yards and returned two kickoffs for 65 yards during Sunday's 29-27 loss to the Lions.
Impact Nwangwu operated as Minnesota's No. 2 tailback with Dalvin Cook (shoulder) sidelined, but the rookie still played only nine offensive snaps. Alexander Mattison un surprisingly dominated the backfield work with 22 carries and three receptions. Nwangwu is unlikely to have a significant offensive role while one of Cook or Mattison is healthy.
DECEMBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Active for Sunday Nwangwu (illness) is active for Sunday's game against the Lions.
Impact Nwangwu is set for a potentially prominent role in the Vikings' offense Sunday against the Lions. With Dalvin Cook (shoulder) out, Nwangwu will be slotted behind only Alexander Mattison on the running back depth chart. After landing on IR due to an injury suffered in their preseason opener, Nwangwu emerged in Week 8 against Dallas and quickly began making an impact on special teams, returning kickoffs for a touchdown in Week 9 and Week 12. Selected in the fourth round of the 2021 draft, Nwangwu has recorded two carries on the season for 16 yards, numbers he'll try to expand on Sunday.
DECEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
