Vikings Playmaker Returns from IR
Dustin Baker
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In a week full of rotten news — the Minnesota Vikings sunk to a 1-4 record, Jefferson Jefferson hit injured reserve with a bad hamstring, and Nick Mullens is on the shelf with a bad back — a little glimmer of optimism peeked through.
Vikings Playmaker Returns from IR
Vikings kick returner and running back Kene Nwangwu was designated to return, meaning the franchise has three weeks to activate the speedster.
One of the fastest players in the sport, Nwangwu could give the Vikings a jolt in a season when all jolts have been unfavorable — mostly fumbles and interceptions.
The Vikings primary social media account tweeted on the X app Wednesday, “RB Kene Nwangwu has been designated for return; returned to practice.”
When Minnesota unveiled an initial preseason depth chart in August, Nwangwu was listed as the RB2 behind Mattison, piquing fans’ interest because he could’ve been on tap for more touches in the team’s offense. We shall see if that is the plan when he returns.
The Vikings also traded for running back Cam Akers during Nwangwu’s absence, probably reducing any chance of Nwangwu receiving ample touches in the offense.
The man is fast as hell, though, and Minnesota will take any perks it can get with a 1-4 record and IR assignment from the team’s best player. Vikings faithful longed for Nwangwu’s inclusion in the team’s offense last year — because of his speed — but the wish was not granted. The Iowa State alumnus touched the ball 11 times on offense for 35 yards from scrimmage, not exactly a productive resume as a second-year speedster.
Minnesota scooped Nwangwu out of the 4th Round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and he’s returned three kickoffs for touchdowns in two years. His kick return touchdown on Thanksgiving night versus the New England Patriots last year was a game-saver for Minnesota. The Vikings forced no turnovers against Bill Belichick’s team, curiously couldn’t stop quarterback Mac Jones — he looked like Tom Brady for a night — leaving Nwangwu’s heroics as the hinge that swung the game.
In June, CBS Sports predicted an enhanced role for Nwangwu in the Vikings offense this season, “Nwangwu is a dynamic kickoff returner 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.”
We shall see if CBS Sports’ prediction is correct in a crowded Vikings RB room.
Minnesota could also opt to return some kickoffs. Current kick returner Ty Chandler has taken three out of the endzone through five games for 70 yards.
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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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