Kene

Nwangwu

It’s been a bittersweet season for Nwangwu, who was only activated from the practice squad in Week 13. He promptly earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 13, returning three kickoffs for 157 yards and one touchdown. The touchdown came via a 99-yard return and he finished with four total missed tackles forced on the day. The 26-year-old is scheduled to hit free agency at the end of the season.

Nwangwu will revert back to waivers with his failed physical designation, giving other teams a chance to claim him if they so desire. The Saints claimed the RB/KR off waivers after he was let go by the Vikings earlier in the week, in hopes that he may eventually contribute in their return game. He’ll likely catch on with another team in the coming days.

Nwangwu was waived Tuesday and finds a new home a day later. The 26-year-old fourth-rounder’s most likely contributions with the Saints will likely be on special teams as a returner, as he hasn’t shown he can be productive as a tailback yet.

Limited to 33 career touches on offense, 2021 fourth-rounder Nwangwu is a return man who still couldn’t save his roster spot despite the league’s new kickoff rules. Perhaps this is a procedural move and Nwangwu will be brought back after final cuts.

Nwangwu will miss at least the first four games with this IR designation. The Vikings’ return man was considered a candidate for IR during roster cutdowns and became all the more expendable after the team went out and claimed Myles Gaskin off waivers.

Hunt visited with the Saints earlier this week and was expected to sign. However, the Colts called him up as he was headed to New Orleans to schedule a visit of their own. He left both cities without a contract and now has another suitor in the Vikings. Multiple beat reporters have noted that the backups in Minnesota have left a lot to be desired and Kene Nwangwu is currently sidelined with an injury. Should Hunt join the mix in Minnesota, he would be a good bet to earn the No. 2 role behind Alexander Mattison.

Mattison left practice with a limp, leaving the backfield to Chandler, the second-year back from North Carolina. Chandler fumbled once and Lewis said, “His reps lacked consistency.” Seventh-round rookie DeWayne McBride could have a path to the RB2 role in Minnesota, though head coach Kevin O’Connell has already noted how difficult it will be for McBride to get up to speed on the offense in just one summer. With Kene Nwangwu serving primarily as a special teams contributor, Lewis floated the idea of a free agent running back joining the mix to give Minnesota some stability behind Mattison. Should anything happen to Mattison, there would likely be a messy committee in his place.

Nwangwu cut into Alexander Mattison’s assumed workhorse role with the unvaccinated Dalvin Cook (COVID-19) out. Nwangwu had two of the team’s five rushing attempts inside the 10 yard line against the Rams. He ran a mere six routes to 32 for Mattison. Nwangwu wouldn’t have standalone value unless Mattison misses time. Cook is likely to miss Week 17 since he’s not vaccinated against COVID-19.

Nwangwu was a late addition to the injury report as questionable but has been cleared to play as Alexander Mattison’s backup with Dalvin Cook (shoulders) out. Mattison remains a strong RB1 play, but Nwangwu figures to see change-of-pace touches. He has two carries for 16 yards on the year. Inactive for the Vikings are QB Kellen Mond, WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Cook, S Camryn Bynum, LB Eric Kendricks (biceps), LB Anthony Barr (knee, hamstring), and LT Christian Darrisaw (ankle).

Nwangwu, an outstanding return man who was expected to see some run with Dalvin Cook (shoulder) sidelined, is now questionable for Week 13 against the Lions. Fullback C.J. Ham would reportedly serve as Minnesota’s RB2 if Nwangwu is sidelined. Alexander Mattison is well positioned for a massive workload against Detroit.