The Jets signed Nwangwu to their active roster Monday. The fourth-year pro from Iowa State made his Jets debut in a Week 13 loss to the Seahawks, returning three kickoffs for 157 yards, including a 99-yard touchdown. Nwangwu's performance Sunday was enough to land him a spot on the Jets' active roster, likely serving as the team's top kick returner and a depth piece in their running back room for the remainder of the season. In a corresponding move, the Jets waived 2023 fifth-round pick Israel Abanikanda.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Kene Nwangwu news
Team
New York Jets
Birthdate
2/9/1998 (26)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'1", 213 lbs
Draft Info
2021: Rd 4; Pk (MIN)
Birthplace
Frisco, TX, USA
Position
RB
College
Iowa State
Experience
4 seasons
Career History
New York Jets
2024-Present
(1 season)
Minnesota Vikings
2021-2024
(4 seasons)
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DraftKings points 1.6FanDuel Points 1.1ATT 1.0TD 0.0RUSH YDS 2.0LNG 1.1REC 1.0REC TD 0.0REC YDS 4.4AVG 4.4RAC 2.1CBSS fantasy points 0.8ESPN fantasy points 0.8Yahoo fantasy points 1.3
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Full season projectionsATT 8.3RUSH YDS 26.6LNG 13.0REC 1.0REC YDS 3.7AVG 3.7
The Jets signed Nwangwu to their active roster Monday. The fourth-year pro from Iowa State made his Jets debut in a Week 13 loss to the Seahawks, returning three kickoffs for 157 yards, including a 99-yard touchdown. Nwangwu's performance Sunday was enough to land him a spot on the Jets' active roster, likely serving as the team's top kick returner and a depth piece in their running back room for the remainder of the season. In a corresponding move, the Jets waived 2023 fifth-round pick Israel Abanikanda.
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.
The Jets elevated Nwangwu from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports. It's the first time Nwangwu has been elevated to the Jets' active roster, and he has an opportunity to make his 2024 regular-season debut against the Seahawks on Sunday. Nwangwu played in nine regular-season games for the Vikings in 2023 and logged five carries for 13 yards.
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, 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.
The Saints waived Nwangwu (undisclosed) on Thursday with a failed physical designation, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports. 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).
The Saints claimed Nwangwu off waivers Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. 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.
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 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.
Nwangwu had seven carries for 45 yards in Saturday's preseason win over Cleveland. 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. However, it's not clear if he'll return kickoffs as he hasn't been used as a returner in either preseason game after having that role last season.
Nwangwu had five carries for 52 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown, in Saturday's preseason win over Las Vegas. 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.