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Top Kene Nwangwu News
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Returns to practice Wednesday
Nwangwu (undisclosed) took part in Wednesday's walk-through practice, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
After taking a seat at sessions Monday and Tuesday, Nwangwu was able to mix into some drills Wednesday. The same can be said for the Vikings' No. 1 running back, Alexander Mattison (undisclosed), who was seen limping near the end of Tuesday's practice. When healthy, Mattison will handle most of the team's backfield reps this season, but Nwangwu also is a candidate for work along with Ty Chandler and rookie seventh-rounder DeWayne McBride.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Misses second straight practice
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
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: Battling for backup RB role
Nwangwu was frequently was used alongside quarterback Kirk Cousins in 11-on-11 snaps during Wednesday's minicamp workout, The Athletic reports.
Nwangwu is a dynamic kickoff returne but will compete for a larger role as a running back after the release of Dalvin Cook. Nwangwu enters camp battling Ty Chandler and DeWayne McBride for snaps behind starter Alexander Mattison. It's possible the backfield could be more of a committee, one in which Nwangwu's speed could afford him a significant role.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Effective on special teams in 2022
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: Will play Sunday
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.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Expected to be active
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
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: Gets time at RB
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.
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Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Returns kick for TD in Week 12
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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Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-1, 210 lbs |
| Birthplace: Frisco, TX |
| Age: 25 |
| School: Iowa St. |
| Experience: 3 |