The Jets moved Nwangwu (hand) to injured reserve Saturday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports. Nwangwu is dealing with a hand injury, and with New York having just four games remaining on the regular-season slate and already eliminated from playoff contention, his campaign has come to an end. The fourth-year tailback will finish his first season as a Jet with no offensive touches over two games, but he did make an impact as a returner, taking a kickoff 99 yards to paydirt Week 13 against Seattle. Xavier Gipson will likely be the Jets' lead kick returner with Nwangwu now sidelined.
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Status
IR - Hand - Not Specified Expected Return: 2025-02-10Latest Kene Nwangwu news
Team
New York Jets
Birthdate
2/9/1998 (26)
Status
Injured Reserve
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)
The Jets moved Nwangwu (hand) to injured reserve Saturday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports. Nwangwu is dealing with a hand injury, and with New York having just four games remaining on the regular-season slate and already eliminated from playoff contention, his campaign has come to an end. The fourth-year tailback will finish his first season as a Jet with no offensive touches over two games, but he did make an impact as a returner, taking a kickoff 99 yards to paydirt Week 13 against Seattle. Xavier Gipson will likely be the Jets' lead kick returner with Nwangwu now sidelined.
Nwangwu (hand) is expected to be placed on injured reserve, Eric Allen of the Jets' official site reports. Nwangwu played 18 snaps (one on offense and 17 on special teams) last week against Miami, but he was apparently injured along the way. Xavier Gipson is expected to take over as the Jets' kick returner.
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.
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.