Nwangwu (back) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Lions.
Nwangwu was listed as doubtful for Sunday's contest after Friday's practice. The Jets' kick returner had an outside chance to suit up Sunday despite not logging a single day of practice throughout Week 3 prep. After a Saturday examination, it's been determined that Nwangwu will not be ready for the game, leaving Isaiah Williams as the primary kick and punt returner for the Jets' showdown with the Lions.
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Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Unlikely to play Week 3
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Nwangwu (back) is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Lions, Antwan V. Staley of the New York Daily News reports.
It looks like Nwangwu will miss each of the Jets' first three games of the regular season due to a back injury he picked up in a practice prior to the Jets' Week 1 win over the Titans. He was a DNP in all three practices during Week 3 prep, so a return to practice in at least a limited capacity would be a positive step in Nwangwu's recovery. Isaiah Williams will continue to serve as the Jets' primary returner on kickoffs and punts for as long as Nwangwu is sidelined.
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Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Misses practice Thursday
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Nwangwu (back) did not participate in practice Thursday.
The running back and kick returner did not practice Wednesday either after missing the Jets' Week 2 loss to the Packers. He is not on injured reserve, but he also does not appear to be on track to return for this Sunday's matchup with the Lions. Nwangwu has yet to suit up for a regular-season game this season.
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Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Remains sidelined Wednesday
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Nwangwu (back) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.
Nwangwu did not practice at all leading up to Week 2 and missed the Jets' overtime loss to the Packers on Sunday. The running back and kick returner has missed every practice and game since sustaining a back injury on Sept. 11. Nwangwu was not placed on IR after the injury, so it is reasonable to expect the 28-year-old to return to the field by Week 4, even if he cannot increase his practice participation soon enough to play in the team's Week 3 contest against the Lions.
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Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Out again Sunday
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Nwangwu (back) won't play in Sunday's game against the Packers, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.
Nwangwu will miss a second consecutive game Sunday, and he's considered week-to-week. With Nwangwu sidelined again in Week 2, Isaiah Williams will presumably handle most of the return duties versus Green Bay.
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Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Doesn't practice Wednesday
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Nwangwu (back) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.
The 2021 fourth-rounder is considered week-to-week due to a back injury, so his absence from Wednesday's practice isn't a surprise. Nwangwu will have two more opportunities to practice in at least a limited capacity, which would give him a chance to return for Sunday's home game against the Packers.
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Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Considered week-to-week
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Nwangwu (back) is considered week-to-week, Antwan V. Staley of the New York Daily News reports.
Nwangwu didn't play in Sunday's 23-10 win over the Titans. It appears he won't suit up versus Green Bay, though it's anyone's guess when he will get back on the field. The 2021 No. 119 overall pick most recently appeared in 12 regular-season games for the Jets during the 2025 campaign, totaling 13 carries for 49 yards.
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Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Out for Sunday
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Nwangwu (back) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Titans.
Nwangwu was designated as doubtful after Friday's practice, so the eventual ruling that he will not suit up for Sunday's contest is not surprising. The depth running back and primary kick returner for the team continues to deal with a back injury he likely suffered during a practice session earlier in the week. With Nwangwu out, wide receiver Isaiah Williams will likely add kick return duties alongside his punt return duties in Sunday's game.
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Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Unlikely to play Sunday
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Nwangwu (back) is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Titans, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.
Nwangwu wasn't listed on the Jets' injury report until Friday as a DNP, indicating that he may have tweaked his back in a practice session. He wasn't expected to see much playing time on offense given that he's behind Breece Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis on the depth chart. However, if Nwangwu is indeed ruled out for Week 1, then Isaiah Williams figures to operate at the Jets' top returner, with Davis also in the mix.
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Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Effective as kickoff returner in 2025
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Nwangwu finished the 2025 season with 13 carries for 49 yards and no targets or touchdowns on offense while adding 604 yards and one touchdown on 18 kickoff returns in 12 games.
Nwangwu maintained his status as one of the NFL's best kickoff returners when healthy, as he's up to five kickoff return touchdowns in as many NFL seasons. He didn't record a touch on offense through Week 16 but set a new career high for carries in each of the last two games as the Jets battled backfield injuries, logging six in Week 17 and seven in Week 18. The special teams ace is set to turn 28 years old the day after the Super Bowl and will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
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Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Career-high six carries in Week 17
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Nwangwu rushed six times for 31 yards and wasn't targeted in Sunday's 42-10 loss to the Patriots. He also returned four kickoffs for 114 yards.
Breece Hall (knee) and Isaiah Davis (concussion) both exited in the second half, opening the door for Nwangwu and Khalil Herbert to take on larger roles. Nwangwu's contributions are usually limited to special teams, and Sunday's six carries marked a new career high for the 27-year-old running back. He could see an expanded role again in Week 18 against the Bills if Hall and Davis aren't available.
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Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Cedes most returns to Williams
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Nwangwu (hamstring) had a 34-yard kickoff return in Sunday's 23-10 loss to the Ravens.
Nwangwu suited up after being listed as questionable, but he ceded four of the Jets' five kickoff return opportunities to Isaiah Williams. When fully healthy, Nwangwu has served as the Jets' primary kickoff returner.
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Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Cleared to play Week 12
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Nwangwu (hamstring) is active for Sunday's game against Baltimore.
Nwangwu was limited in the last two practices of Week 12 prep due to a hamstring injury, but he has been given the green light to play Sunday after going through pregame warmups. Nwangwu will mostly contribute on special teams as a returner on kickoffs, but he will also will serve as the Jets' No. 3 RB behind Breece Hall and Isaiah Davis due to Khalil Herbert (coach's decision) being inactive.
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Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Questionable after limited practice
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Nwangwu (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens.
Nwangwu didn't practice Thursday but returned to limited participation Friday. If the Jets' usual kickoff returner isn't available Sunday, those duties would likely go to Isaiah Williams.
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Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Hamstring flares up
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Nwangwu (hamstring) didn't practice Thursday.
Nwangwu wasn't on Wednesday's injury report, so it's possible he aggravated his hamstring injury during practice. The standout return man previously missed action this season due to a hamstring injury and concussion, which have combined to limit Nwangwu to five appearances. If Nwangwu sits out Sunday against the Ravens, Isaiah Williams would likely tack kickoff-return duties onto his usual role as a punt returner.
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Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Practices in full Wednesday
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Nwangwu (concussion) was a full participant at practice Wednesday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Nwangwu missed the Jets' last game before their Week 9 bye at Cincinnati due to a concussion, but his activity to start the new week of preparation suggests he has a good chance to be available for Week 10 versus the Browns. He has until Sunday to officially clear league concussion protocol.
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Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Misses Wednesday's practice
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Nwangwu (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday.
Nwangwu was diagnosed with a concussion during the Jets' 13-6 loss to the Panthers in Week 7. He's opened the week with a DNP, and even if he were to practice, he would have to progress through the league's five-step concussion protocol in order to play against the Bengals on Sunday. Isaiah Williams would likely serve as the Jets' primary returner on kickoffs if Nwangwu were to miss time.
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Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Possible concussion
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Nwangwu went to the locker room during Sunday's game against the Panthers to be evaluated for a potential concussion, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.
Nwangwu went to the locker room to get checked for a possible concussion during the third quarter of Sunday's game. The return specialist had one return for 29 yards against the Panthers and is averaging 35.0 yards per return this season.
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Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Gets in limited session Thursday
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Nwangwu (hamstring) was a limited participant in practice Thursday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
Nwangwu's slowly making progress after sitting out practice Wednesday. He hasn't suited up for game action since getting injured in Week 1 against the Steelers. If Nwangwu's healthy enough to play Sunday against the Broncos, he would likely reprise his role as the Jets' primary kickoff returner.
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Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Misses practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Nwangwu (hamstring) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.
The Iowa State product missed the Jets' last four games due to a hamstring injury sustained in the Week 1 loss to the Steelers. Nwangwu will likely carry an injury designation into the weekend if he's unable to upgrade to a full session Thursday or Friday. If the 27-year-old is sidelined for the Week 6 matchup against the Broncos, Isaiah Davis is likely to operate as the Jets' top kick returner.
