The New Orleans Saints have claimed running back and punt returner Kene Nwangwu off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Nwangwu had been cut loose when the Vikings trimmed their roster down to 53 players on Tuesday. The 26-year-old is primarily a return specialist, having attempted just 14 rushes over the last two seasons. On the other hand, he led the NFL with 35 punt returns in 2022 and tacked on another 15 over nine games last year. He owns an impressive 27.6 yards per return and three return touchdowns over 37 career contests. It's no surprise that Nwangwu was claimed off waivers given his special teams talent, but it's an interesting landing spot given that the Saints already have Rashid Shaheed on their roster. Presumably, Shaheed will handle kick returns and Nwangwu will get the nod for punt returns in 2024.
The Minnesota Vikings are moving on from running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu, according to a source. The Vikings are expected to cut or trade him by Tuesday's deadline. With Nwangwu and Myles Gaskin out of the picture in Minnesota, the Vikings only have running backs Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler in the RB room, alongside fullback C.J. Ham. The former fourth-round pick in 2021 out of Iowa State has plenty of speed, so at the very least, he should get another opportunity elsewhere as a kick returner on special teams in 2024. The 26-year-old had a career-low five carries for just 13 yards in nine games with the Vikings last year. Nwangwu has been more useful as a returner on special teams than as an offensive asset, as he's totaled just 88 rushing yards and no touchdowns on 27 career carries for a weak 3.3 yards per tote in 37 total games (zero starts).
Minnesota Vikings running back Kene Nwangwu has seen more reps this summer than in years past, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. Lewis said he remains the third back on the depth chart behind Ty Chander, but this development is still noteworthy considering Nwangwu has just 27 career carries across 37 games. The speedster has been primarily used as a special teamer early in his career, but he could now have a path toward touches if the injury bug hits the Minnesota running back room. For now, he can be ignored in traditional fantasy setups, but there are deep leagues where almost all backup and third-string running backs are rostered. He should be on the fantasy radar in those formats as a deep handcuff stash. His 4.37 speed could give him a chance to produce spike weeks if he's given any opportunities in the backfield during the regular season.
Minnesota Vikings running back Kene Nwangwu (back) is being elevated to the team's 53-man roster. Nwangwu began the season on Injured Reserve with a back injury and is ready to make his return in Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers. The 25-year-old only has 28 career touches on offense in two seasons, so he's unlikely to enter the fantasy radar. However, he earned second-team All-Pro honors as a returner last season, so he could give the Vikings a boost on special teams.
Minnesota Vikings running back Kene Nwangwu was placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury on Wednesday. Nwangwu has been sidelined with his injury throughout the month of August. His placement on injured reserve, along with the release of Jalen Reagor, opened up room for the Vikings to sign running back Myles Gaskin and offensive lineman Dan Quessenberry. The loss of Nwangwu likely opens up the backup role for Ty Chandler, although Gaskin could get involved as well, once he's up to speed with his new team.
Minnesota Vikings running back Kene Nwangwu (undisclosed) remained out for the team's training camp practice on Thursday. The Athletic's Alec Lewis also noted that Ty Chandler looked solid in pass protection on Thursday. Nwangwu has been out for most of camp with an undisclosed injury, which isn't helping in his cause to win a backup job behind Alexander Mattison over Chandler. Unless the 25-year-old returns to the field soon and starts impressing, it's looking like Chandler will be the favorite for primary backup duties to begin the 2023 regular season. A fourth-round selection in 2021 out of Iowa State, Nwangwu has seen just 22 carries for 75 yards and no touchdowns in 28 games (zero starts) in his first two NFL campaigns in Minnesota.
Kene Nwangwu Misses Preseason Opener Due To Injury
Minnesota Vikings running back Kene Nwangwu did not play in the team's preseason opener on Thursday night against the Seattle Seahawks due to an undisclosed injury. With starter Alexander Mattison also being held out, Ty Chandler got more run and made the most of the opportunity. Chandler saw 11 carries and gained 41 yards while also catching all four of his targets for 29 yards. Neither Nwangwu nor Chandler had really been standing out in training camp in the competition for the backup role in Minnesota's backfield, but Chandler probably has the lead after his preseason performance on Thursday night. There's still time for the 25-year-old Nwangwu to state his case before the regular season, though.
Kene Nwangwu, Ty Chandler Not Running Away With Backup Job
Neither Minnesota Vikings running backs Kene Nwangwu nor Ty Chandler has run away with the backup RB job behind starter Alexander Mattison in training camp this summer, and there are questions about their abilities in pass protection. It wouldn't surprise The Athletic's Alec Lewis if the Vikings took a shot on a veteran in free agency who has experience with an early down workload. Mattison is more of a power back, while Nwangwu and Chandler are speedy backs that give the Vikings a different element in the backfield. Chandler had just six carries for 20 yards in three games in his rookie season in 2022. Mattison figures to get all the work he can handle in the first year without Dalvin Cook in his way, leaving Nwangwu and Chandler to fight for scraps.
Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu Could Battle For No. 2 Job
Early spring practices have suggested that Minnesota Vikings running backs Ty Chandler and Pro Bowl kickoff returner Kene Nwangwu could battle for the No. 2 job in the team's backfield behind Alexander Mattison if they part ways with Dalvin Cook, as expected. Chandler spent most of his rookie season in 2022 on Injured Reserve. DeWayne McBride, a seventh-round pick this year who led the nation in rushing last year, is another intriguing prospect but has been rehabbing a minor injury this spring and has yet to take part in organized team activities. If Cook isn't on the team come training camp, Chandler figures to be the most likely backup to Mattison, but we'll have a better idea of how the Vikings backfield will shake out in another month or so.
Minnesota Vikings running back Kene Nwangwu carried the ball seven times for 41 yards and caught two passes for an additional 18 yards in Sunday's preseason loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. The second-year back out of Iowa State will look to earn a role in the Minnesota offense this season, as he carried the ball just 13 times for 61 yards in his rookie year. Nwangwu was mostly used in the return game, showcasing his game-breaking speed on multiple occasions. As of now, he seems like a safe bet to be the RB3 behind Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison, so his fantasy value could increase significantly if anyone ahead of him on the depth chart misses time this season.
Kene Nwangwu
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Saints
