Player Card

Fantasy Player Profile Kene Nwangwu

  • Kene Nwangwu
  • RB #26
  • Kene
    Nwangwu
  • AActive
  • Manager: FA
  •  
vs. TB: #8 vs opposing RB - 16.40 FPA
Bye Week13Rank-% Rostered-% Change-WK 1 Proj. Pts1.13
2023 Fantasy Stats
   PassingRushingReceivingRetMiscFumFantasy
WkOppResultsYdsTDIntYdsTDRecYdsTDTDFumTD2PTLostPts
1TB
Sun 10:00 amGet Tickets
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2@PHI
Thu 5:15 pmGet Tickets
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3LAC
Sun 10:00 amGet Tickets
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4@CAR
Sun 10:00 amGet Tickets
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5KC
Sun 1:25 pmGet Tickets
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6@CHI
Sun 10:00 amGet Tickets
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7SF
Mon 5:15 pmGet Tickets
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8@GB
Sun 10:00 amGet Tickets
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9@ATL
Sun 10:00 amGet Tickets
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10NO
Sun 10:00 amGet Tickets
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11@DEN
Sun 5:20 pmGet Tickets
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12CHI
Mon 5:15 pmGet Tickets
------------0.00
13Bye  ------------0.00
14@LV
Sun 1:05 pmGet Tickets
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15@CIN
TBDGet Tickets
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16DET
Sun 10:00 amGet Tickets
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17GB
Sun 5:20 pmGet Tickets
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18@DET
TBDGet Tickets
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2023 Fantasy Stats
  RushingReceivingFumFantasy
WkOppYdsTDYdsTDLostPts
1TB,
Sun 10:00 amGet Tickets
-----0.00
2@PHI,
Thu 5:15 pmGet Tickets
-----0.00
3LAC,
Sun 10:00 amGet Tickets
-----0.00
4@CAR,
Sun 10:00 amGet Tickets
-----0.00
5KC,
Sun 1:25 pmGet Tickets
-----0.00
6@CHI,
Sun 10:00 amGet Tickets
-----0.00
7SF,
Mon 5:15 pmGet Tickets
-----0.00
8@GB,
Sun 10:00 amGet Tickets
-----0.00
9@ATL,
Sun 10:00 amGet Tickets
-----0.00
10NO,
Sun 10:00 amGet Tickets
-----0.00
11@DEN,
Sun 5:20 pmGet Tickets
-----0.00
12CHI,
Mon 5:15 pmGet Tickets
-----0.00
13Bye-----0.00
14@LV,
Sun 1:05 pmGet Tickets
-----0.00
15@CIN,
TBDGet Tickets
-----0.00
16DET,
Sun 10:00 amGet Tickets
-----0.00
17GB,
Sun 5:20 pmGet Tickets
-----0.00
18@DET,
TBDGet Tickets
-----0.00
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News

  • 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.

    Analysis: 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…read more

    Published: Mon, Jan 23 at 9:15pm by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • Will play Sunday

    Nwangwu (illness) is active Sunday against the Giants.

    Analysis: 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.

    Published: Sun, Jan 15 at 12:21pm by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • Expected to be active

    Nwangwu (illness) is should play Sunday against the Giants, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

    Analysis: 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.

    Published: Sun, Jan 15 at 9:23am by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • 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.

    Analysis: 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.

    Published: Fri, Jan 13 at 12:04pm by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • 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.

    Analysis: 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.

    Published: Mon, Jan 9 at 10:37am by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • 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.

    Analysis: 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.

    Published: Wed, Nov 30 at 6:34am by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • Limited to kick-return duty

    Nwangwu returned one kickoff for 25 yards in Sunday's win over Green Bay.

    Analysis: 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.

    Published: Mon, Sep 12 at 12:03pm by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • Four carries in preseason finale

    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.

    Analysis: 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.

    Published: Sat, Aug 27 at 9:12pm by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • Four total touches

    Nwangwu gained four yards on two carries and also recorded two receptions for eight yards in Saturday's preseason loss to the 49ers.

    Analysis: 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.

    Published: Sat, Aug 20 at 10:31pm by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • Looks healthy Sunday

    Nwangwu (leg) rushed seven times for 41 yards and caught both of his targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 26-20 preseason loss to the Raiders.

    Analysis: Nwangwu looked crisp in his return from a minor soft-tissue injury to his leg, flashing the explosiveness that he displayed as a rookie returner last season (two kick-return touchdowns). The 24-year-old figures to have a lock on the kickoff return job in Minnesota, but he has carried over his excellent YPC totals -- albeit in smaller sample sizes -- from his time at Iowa State (5.9 YPC in his final two seasons). Nwangwu probably won't see enough playing time with the talented one-two combo of…read more

    Published: Sun, Aug 14 at 8:40pm by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • Back to practice

    Nwangwu (leg) returned to practice Saturday, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

    Analysis: 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.

    Published: Sat, Aug 6 at 4:01pm by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • Day-to-day with leg injury

    Nwangwu is considered day-to-day with a soft-tissue injury in his leg, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

    Analysis: Nwangwu didn't practice Tuesday but is expected back in the not-too-distant future. His value on special teams should ensure the 2021 fourth-round pick of a roster spot, but earning work on offense will be a challenge in a backfield that also has Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison and rookie fifth-round pick Ty Chandler. Nwangwu's absence from practice should leave more reps for Chandler, in particular.

    Published: Tue, Aug 2 at 11:34am by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • One touch in season finale

    Nwangwu ran one time for four yards during Week 18's 31-17 win over the Bears.

    Analysis: With Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison demanding the majority of touches, Nwangwu struggled to find consistent work out of Minnesota's backfield. He finished the 2021 campaign with 13 rushes for 61 yards and four catches for nine yards. However, he did make a big impact on special teams and was the only player in the NFL this season to record multiple kick returns for touchdowns. The Vikings have Cook, Mattison and Nwangwu all under contract for 2022, so barring drastic change, their backfield…read more

    Published: Tue, Jan 18 at 10:00am by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • Non-factor in loss

    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.

    Analysis: 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…read more

    Published: Mon, Dec 27 at 11:22am by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • Impresses with limited touches

    Nwangwu had three carries for 33 yards during Monday's divisional win over the Bears.

    Analysis: 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.

    Published: Tue, Dec 21 at 7:15am by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • Works as secondary back

    Nwangwu had two carries for zero yards, caught two of three targets for four yards and returned two kickoffs for 65 yards during Sunday's 29-27 loss to the Lions.

    Analysis: Nwangwu operated as Minnesota's No. 2 tailback with Dalvin Cook (shoulder) sidelined, but the rookie still played only nine offensive snaps. Alexander Mattison unsurprisingly dominated the backfield work with 22 carries and three receptions. Nwangwu is unlikely to have a significant offensive role while one of Cook or Mattison is healthy.

    Published: Mon, Dec 6 at 3:17pm by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • Active for Sunday

    Nwangwu (illness) is active for Sunday's game against the Lions.

    Analysis: 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…read more

    Published: Sun, Dec 5 at 8:57am by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • Suddenly questionable

    Nwangwu is questionable for Sunday's game against Detroit with an illness.

    Analysis: 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.

    Published: Sat, Dec 4 at 2:04pm by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • Should have role on offense

    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.

    Analysis: 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…read more

    Published: Fri, Dec 3 at 3:46pm by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • Another kick-return touchdwon

    Nwangwu ran once for seven yards and added a 99-yard kick return for a touchdown during Sunday's 34-26 loss to the 49ers.

    Analysis: With the Vikings trailing 31-20 in the third quarter, Nwangwu exploded 99 yards down the right sideline for his second kick-return touchdown of the season. The return specialist also saw his first two offensive snaps of the season in the fourth quarter, which could be a sign of things to come with Dalvin Cook (shoulder) expected to miss an extended period of time. Alexander Mattison is expected to once again take over the primary running back duties with Cook out, but Nwangwu's explosive kick…read more

    Published: Mon, Nov 29 at 1:22pm by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • Returns kickoff for TD

    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.

    Analysis: 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.

    Published: Mon, Nov 8 at 11:38am by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • Activated from IR

    Nwangwu (knee) was activated from injured reserve Tuesday.

    Analysis: Nwangwu was designated to return to practice in late September and the team clearly feels he looks good enough to rejoin the active roster. The Vikings released Ameer Abdullah in a corresponding move, leaving Nwangwu as the third-string running back behind Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison.

    Published: Tue, Oct 19 at 12:12pm by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • Returning to practice

    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.

    Analysis: 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…read more

    Published: Wed, Sep 29 at 8:33am by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • Gets light work in during practice

    Nwangwu (knee) was seen working on a side field during Wednesday's practice, Eric Smith of the Vikings' official site reports.

    Analysis: Nwangwu hyperextended his left knee during a preseason matchup with the Browns on Aug. 14 and was placed on IR before the initial 53-man roster deadline. The rookie fourth-round pick is eligible to come off IR as soon as Week 4, but the Vikings aren't going to rush anything because he will need to be conditioned. When healthy, Nwangwu will likely compete with Ameer Abdullah for the No. 3 running back job.

    Published: Wed, Sep 22 at 12:11pm by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • Lands on injured reserve

    Nwangwu (knee) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Eric Smith of the Vikings' official site reports.

    Analysis: 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.

    Published: Wed, Sep 1 at 8:15pm by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • Still sidelined

    Nwangwu (knee) is not practicing Monday, Eric Smith of the Vikings' official site reports.

    Analysis: 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.

    Published: Mon, Aug 30 at 11:45am by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • Out for rest of preseason

    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.

    Analysis: 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…read more

    Published: Thu, Aug 19 at 9:07am by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
  • Exits with knee injury

    Nwangwu left Saturday's preseason game against the Broncos with a knee injury, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

    Analysis: The rookie sixth-round pick likely hurt his knee on an 18-yard return of the opening kickoff, considering he left the contest before taking a touch on offense. Nwangwu might've had a busy evening if not for the injury, with Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison both healthy scratches for Saturday's exhibition. Instead, the Vikings leaned on undrafted rookie A.J. Rose and 28-year-old Ameer Abdullah to handle backfield snaps.

    Published: Sat, Aug 14 at 2:49pm by Rotowire.com
    More news and analysis available atNFL.com
More news and analysis available at NFL.com

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Kene Nwangwu
RB #26 MIN | Manager: FA
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