Through two seasons, Nwangwu has 22 carries, six catches and zero offensive touchdowns. He'll get the chance to move up the depth chart this preseason, but his contributions are likely to be felt on kick returns, where he's scored three times over 53 career tries. Unless you get credit for special-teams points, Nwangwu probably won't help you take down your Fantasy league.
Fantasy Stats
rushing
receiving
fantasy
Year
yds
Rushing Yards
avg
Average Yards per Rush
td
Rushing Touchdowns
fl
Fumbles Lost
rec
Receptions
yds
Receiving Yards
td
Receiving Touchdowns
fpts
Fantasy Points
fpts/g
Fantasy Points per Game
2023
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
2022
14
1.56
—
—
2
21
—
3
0.2
2021
61
4.69
—
—
4
9
—
6
0.5
3y Avg.
38
3.45
—
—
3
15
—
4
0.3
Fantasy News
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Going to injured reserve
Rotowire
The Vikings officially placed Nwangwu (undisclosed) on injured reserve Thursday, Lindsey Young of the team's official site reports.
Sidelined since late July due to an unknown health concern, Nwangwu will be required to miss at least the first four games of the campaign now that he's on IR. Minnesota's backfield will be paced by Alexander Mattison (undisclosed) this season, with Ty Chandler, newcomer Myles Gaskin and practice-squad member DeWayne McBride backing him up.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Remains sidelined
Rotowire
Nwangwu (undisclosed) did not play in Saturday's preseason loss to Tennessee.
There's been no update on Nwangwu's status, as he's been sidelined for most of training camp. Ty Chandler looks set to begin the season as the No. 2 running back at this point with Nwangwu hurt.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Still not practicing
Rotowire
Nwangwu (undisclosed) remained sidelined at Thursday's practice, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
There's been no update on Nwangwu's status, as he's been sidelined for most of training camp. With Ty Chandler performing well in the preseason opener and stringing together strong practices, Nwangwu might be losing any shot he had at the Vikings' No. 2 running back job.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Remains sidelined
Rotowire
Nwangwu (undisclosed) did not practice Monday, Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Nwangwu also sat out the team's preseason loss to the Seahawks on Thursday and dealt with an undisclosed injury earlier in camp, although it's not clear if the two are related. The Iowa State product is believed to still be in competition with Ty Chandler for the backup role to Alexander Mattison. However, if Nwangwu continues to miss time, he may fall short in that battle, at least to start the season.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Misses second straight practice
Rotowire
Nwangwu (undisclosed) sat out a second consecutive practice Tuesday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
This news comes on the heels of Alexander Mattison leaving Tuesday's session early with a visible limp, per Lewis. Nwangwu's health issue isn't known, but with he and Mattison less than 100 percent at the moment, the Vikings' healthy backfield options consist of Ty Chandler and rookie seventh-round pick DeWayne McBride.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: In mix for backup role
Rotowire
Nwangwu "appears to be [the No. 2 running back] behind Alexander Mattision," Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports, based on his early observations at training camp.
While it's too early in camp to get a concrete read on the Vikings' running back pecking order, Minnesota at least appears set to hold an open competition for the top backup spot behind Mattison, now that Dalvin Cook is no longer in the mix. With that in mind, Nwangwu -- a 2021 fourth-round pick -- will jostle for slotting with 2022 fifth-round pick Ty Chandler and 2023 seventh-round pick DeWayne McBride. Further context will be revealed once the team's unofficial depth chart is posted, but based on Mizutani's report, Nwangwu is a player to monitor in the coming weeks.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
