Nwangwu (calf) turned six carries into 31 yards during the Jets' 31-12 preseason loss to the Giants on Saturday.
Nwangwu was able to suit up for Saturday's contest after recovering from a calf injury that he suffered during the Jets' preseason opener against the Packers. He played four snaps on special teams and 20 on offense, the latter of which was second most among Jets running backs behind Donovan Edwards (22). Nwangwu is in a battle with Edwards and Isaiah Davis (ankle) for the RB3 job behind Breece Hall and Braelon Allen, and Nwangwu's last opportunity to make his case for the Jets' 53-man roster is Friday against the Eagles.
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Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Poised to play Saturday
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Nwangwu (calf) is in line to play against the Giants in Saturday's preseason game, Eric Allen of the Jets' official site reports.
Nwangwu has been nursing a calf injury that he suffered in the Jets' preseason opener against the Packers, but he's progressed enough in his recovery to play Saturday. With Isaiah Davis (ankle) ruled out, Nwangwu is in line to see the bulk of the backfield carries Saturday, assuming that Breece Hall and Braelon Allen are limited to the first couple of offensive series.
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Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Calf injury not major
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Nwangwu (calf) sustained an injury during Saturday's 30-10 preseason win over the Packers but is not believed to be dealing with anything major, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
Nwangwu was involved Saturday, rushing five times for 10 yards while racking up 35 yards on his only kick return. The 2021 fourth-round pick is competing for a reserve backfield role as well as duties in the return game. It's encouraging that Nwangwu's injury doesn't appear serious, but it remains to be seen if he'll be cleared in time to next play in the preseason on Saturday, Aug. 16 versus the Giants.
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Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Remaining in New York
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The Jets are re-signing Nwangwu (hand) to a one-year contract, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Per Pelissero, the deal is worth up to $2.5 million. Nwangwu logged just one offensive snap over two games with the Jets last season, but he dazzled with a 99-yard kick return for a touchdown in Week 13. Nwangwu ended the campaign on IR due to a hand injury, but he's expected to be healthy by the start of training camp.
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Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Estimated as DNP
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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.
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Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Scores 99-yard return TD in debut
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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.
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Kene Nwangwu: Finds new opportunity
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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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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.
