Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Effective on special teams in 2022
Rotowire
Nwangwu tallied nine rushes for 14 yards to go along with two receptions (on two targets) for 21 yards over 17 games during the 2022 regular season. He also returned 35 kickoffs for a career-high 920 yards and a touchdown.
Nwangwu logged the third kickoff-return touchdown of his career while continuing to almost exclusively play in this phase. The second-year running back actually logged fewer offensive snaps (18) than he did during his rookie season (27), when he played just 11 games. Instead, top running backs Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison once again carried Minnesota's rushing game. With the team currently $24.5 million over the projected 2023 salary cap, it's unclear how the Vikings will handle the futures of Cook and Mattison, the latter of whom is set to become an unrestricted free agent. The potential departure of either of these two backs could open up more opportunities for Nwangwu in 2023.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Will play Sunday
Rotowire
Nwangwu (illness) is active Sunday against the Giants.
Nwangwu's active status Sunday doesn't come as a surprise as it was reported earlier by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network that he would play. However, his absence from the team's inactive list does make it official. He should handle the team's kick returns, while also being emergency depth at running back.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Expected to be active
Rotowire
Nwangwu (illness) is should play Sunday against the Giants, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Nwangwu logged a DNP on Friday, but he's recovered enough that he's expected to take the field for the wild-card round. Although the second-year pro doesn't see much work on offense, he is the team's kick returner, and it looks like he'll be handling those duties Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Dealing with illness
Rotowire
Nwangwu is questionable for Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Giants due to an illness, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Nwangwu didn't practice Friday due to an illness, and his status for the wild-card matchup is officially in question. If the reserve running back doesn't suit up, Jalen Reagor, K.J. Osborn and Ty Chandler would be candidates for kick-return duties.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Gets time at RB
Rotowire
Nwangwu notched five carries for 13 yards and reeled in his only target for 16 yards during Sunday's 29-13 win against the Bears.
Nwangwu had just four carries all season prior to Sunday, but he got some playing time at running back in the second half while starters were rested ahead of the playoffs. He'll likely remain exclusively in a special-teams role during the postseason.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Returns kick for TD in Week 12
Rotowire
Nwangwu returned five kickoffs for 166 yards -- including one for a 97-yard touchdown -- in the Vikings' 33-26 win over the Patriots in Week 12.
Nwangwu was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week on the strength of his big return, becoming the third Vikings player to take home the honor this season. The second-year running back out of Iowa State has played just seven snaps on offense all season but leads the NFL with 620 kickoff return yards.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Limited to kick-return duty
Rotowire
Nwangwu returned one kickoff for 25 yards in Sunday's win over Green Bay.
Nwangwu played all six of his snaps on special teams. He'll work as the primary kickoff returner and may not get many carries as a running back unless Dalvin Cook or Alexander Mattison are hurt or the game is a blowout.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Four carries in preseason finale
Rotowire
Nwangwu rushed four times for 14 yards and fumbled once but recovered during the Vikings' 23-13 preseason loss to the Broncos on Saturday night.
Nwangwu was the first running back in the game with both Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison sitting out, but Nwangwu only had limited success. The Iowa State product logged only 13 carries as a rookie and instead made his biggest contributions on special teams, and he figures to be in for a similar role in 2022 as long as Cook and Mattison remain healthy.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Four total touches
Rotowire
Nwangwu gained four yards on two carries and also recorded two receptions for eight yards in Saturday's preseason loss to the 49ers.
Nwangwu worked behind Alexander Mattison while Dalvin Cook (rest) sat out. He saw carries on only two offensive possessions, however, and didn't have any meaningful production. Nwangwu figures to do the majority of his production as Minnesota's kick returner this season, assuming the backfield remains relatively healthy.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Back to practice
Rotowire
Nwangwu (leg) returned to practice Saturday, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
The second-year running back missed just four days of practice with a soft-tissue injury in his leg. Nwangwu faces an uphill battle for meaningful playing time with Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler all firmly ahead of him on the depth chart, but his value as a return specialist should guarantee the 24-year-old a spot on the 53-man roster.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Non-factor in loss
Rotowire
Nwangwu ran five times for eight yards and caught both of his targets for five yards during Sunday's 30-23 loss to the Rams.
Nwangwu operated as the primary backup to Alexander Mattison with Dalvin Cook sidelined due to COVID-19 protocols. The 23-year-old saw a season-high seven touches, but he failed to make an impact with the increased opportunities. The Vikings continue to try to get the electric return man more involved in the offense, but so far the experiment hasn't translated into fantasy production. Fantasy managers should monitor Cooks' status throughout the week, but even if he is sidelined again, Nwangwu will likely be a risky fantasy option against the Packers in Week 17.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Impresses with limited touches
Rotowire
Nwangwu had three carries for 33 yards during Monday's divisional win over the Bears.
Nwangwu operated as the No. 2 option behind Dalvin Cook with Alexander Mattison (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list, and he showcased some explosiveness despite only logging three touches. He also returned two kickoffs for 51 yards. The rookie fourth-round pick isn't a likely candidate to return fantasy value as long Cook remains healthy, especially when Mattison returns to the lineup, but he's worth keeping an eye on in dynasty formats.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Active for Sunday
Rotowire
Nwangwu (illness) is active for Sunday's game against the Lions.
Nwangwu is set for a potentially prominent role in the Vikings' offense Sunday against the Lions. With Dalvin Cook (shoulder) out, Nwangwu will be slotted behind only Alexander Mattison on the running back depth chart. After landing on IR due to an injury suffered in their preseason opener, Nwangwu emerged in Week 8 against Dallas and quickly began making an impact on special teams, returning kickoffs for a touchdown in Week 9 and Week 12. Selected in the fourth round of the 2021 draft, Nwangwu has recorded two carries on the season for 16 yards, numbers he'll try to expand on Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Suddenly questionable
Rotowire
Nwangwu is questionable for Sunday's game against Detroit with an illness.
Nwangwu was expected to serve as the Vikings' backup running back behind Alexander Mattison with Dalvin Cook (shoulder) sidelined. It appears that there is still a decent chance for him to suit up, though an illness has jeopardized his availability after he logged full practices all week. In addition to further depleting the running back depth chart, Nwangwu's potential absence would hurt the Vikings' return game, as he has two kick-return touchdowns this season.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Should have role on offense
Rotowire
Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer hinted that Nwangwu will have a role on offense Sunday against the Lions with top back Dalvin Cook (shoulder) ruled out for the contest, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports.
In the absence of Cook -- who could be sidelined until the Vikings' Week 15 game in Chicago due to a dislocated shoulder -- Minnesota will likely turn to Alexander Mattison as a three-down workhorse, a role he handled capably in place of an injured Cook in Weeks 3 and 5. Ameer Abdullah had served as Mattison's top understudy in those contests, but since been released and picked up by Carolina, Nwangwu is the lone healthy running back behind Mattison on the 53-man roster. Nwangwu, a rookie fourth-round draft pick, has just two carries to his name (for 16 yards) and has played only two snaps on offense through five appearances, but he's shown some playmaking abilities in space on special teams with two kickoff returns for scores in the past two weeks. Look for the Vikings to find ways to get the ball in Nwangwu's hands and take advantage of his 4.32-second 40-yard-dash speed when he's on the field, but he's still unlikely to see enough snaps and touches to make for a reliable fantasy option, even in deeper leagues.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Returns kickoff for TD
Rotowire
Nwangwu returned a kickoff for a 98-yard touchdown and also had a nine-yard carry for a first down on a fake punt in Sunday's overtime loss at Baltimore.
He also had another kickoff return for 23 yards. Nwangwu has been limited to special teams, but his speed there can make an impact for the Vikings.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Returning to practice
Rotowire
The Vikings designated Nwangwu (knee) for return from injured reserve Wednesday, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. He's scheduled to participate in practice Wednesday.
The rookie fourth-round pick hyperextended his left knee on the opening kickoff of his first preseason game. Nwangwu won't necessarily have a role on offense once he's activated, even if it happens this week and if Dalvin Cook (ankle) misses another game. However, the rookie could be an immediate contributor on special teams, where his 4.32-second 40-yard dash speed can be put to good use while he learns the finer points of the position. Nwangwu's prospect profile is all measurables, no production; he saw just 150 touches in four seasons at Iowa State while backing up David Montgomery and then Breece Hall.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Lands on injured reserve
Rotowire
Nwangwu (knee) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Eric Smith of the Vikings' official site reports.
Nwangwu picked up the knee injury during the preseason matchup with the Browns on Aug. 14, and he was sidelined for the rest of the preseason. The rookie fourth-round pick will remain on injured reserve for at least the first three contests of the regular season.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Still sidelined
Rotowire
Nwangwu (knee) is not practicing Monday, Eric Smith of the Vikings' official site reports.
Nwangwu was forced to sit out Minnesota's final two preseason games due to a knee injury picked up Aug. 14, but his recovery timetable still should put him on track for Week 1. That leaves the rookie fourth-round pick with just under two weeks to resume practicing prior to Sept. 12's season opener in Cincinnati.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Out for rest of preseason
Rotowire
Nwangwu (knee) will miss Minnesota's final two preseason games, but he's expected to recover from a hyperextended left knee in time for Week 1, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
The rookie fourth-round pick was injured while returning the opening kickoff of his first preseason game. It's a tough break, but he didn't figure to have much of role in the team's Week 1 offense anyway, slotting in behind Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison and possibly even Ameer Abdullah. With 4.32 speed in a 210-pound frame, Nwangwu could help out on on special teams on Sundays while using the practice field during the week to work on his development as a running back. The Vikings tentatively expect him to be ready for Week 1.
