Tag: Kene Nwangwu

Stock up, stock down from the Vikings’ loss to the Ravens

Where do the Vikings go from here?

The Vikings played another close game on Sunday.

Minnesota eventually fell to Baltimore on the road. At 3-5, the Vikings desperately needed to win that game in a year where postseason contention seemed like a necessity.

Minnesota will have to recalibrate. The team has no choice but to attempt to salvage its season. The Vikings had some positive takeaways from the Ravens’ game — especially when it came to the more inexperienced players on the field.

However, things are looking grim. The Vikings need to fix a plethora of problems.

Here is the stock up, stock down from the Vikings’ overtime loss to the Ravens on Sunday:

Kene Nwangwu opens the second half with an electrifying kick return touchdown for Minnesota

Vikings rookie Kene Nwangwu took the second-half kickoff 98 yards for a huge touchdown for Minnesota.

When the Minnesota Vikings sent their kick return team onto the field for the start of the third quarter in Baltimore, head coach Mike Zimmer was probably hoping that Kirk Cousins and the Vikings offense could put together a scoring drive to extend Minnesota’s lead.

Rookie kick returner Kene Nwangwu did not want his coach to wait that long.

The speedy rookie took the second-half kickoff 98 yards, outracing the Ravens kickoff team for a huge touchdown to electrify the visitors’ sideline:

Nwangwu identifies a crease down near the 20-yard line and slices through it with ease, putting him face-to-face with kicker Justin Tucker. The rookie sidesteps the kicker to the right sideline and outruns him, and everyone else, for the score.

After losing to Cooper Rush on Sunday night, the Vikings needed to rebound against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens on the road. So far, so good.

Three things to watch during Vikings-Cowboys

Here are three things to watch in the Vikings-Cowboys game on Sunday:

The Vikings will have one of their toughest tests of the season on Sunday night.

The Dallas Cowboys head to U.S. Bank Stadium for Week 8. Minnesota could use this win, as the team is in a tough stretch of its 2021 slate. Here are three things to watch for the upcoming matchup:

Vikings’ plan is for Kene Nwangwu to take kickoff returns in Week 8

The Vikings’ plan is for rookie Kene Nwangwu to have an important special teams role on Sunday.

When the Vikings drafted him, Kene Nwangwu had the potential to serve a vital role on special teams.

Things don’t always go according to plan. Nwangwu suffered an injury in the preseason opener against the Broncos. Minnesota activated the rookie running back off IR on Oct. 19.

Now, Vikings fans can finally see the enticing draft prospect play in the regular season. Minnesota special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken said on Thursday that the plan is for Nwangwu to take kickoff return duties in Week 8. Here’s the full quote:

“Right now, we’re planning on Kene,” Ficken said. “We’ve got some other guys backed up … [like] K.J. Osborn. We’ve got a good group of guys that can go ahead and handle those duties.”

When the Vikings activated Nwangwu off IR, the team released Ameer Abdullah in a corresponding roster move. Ideally, Nwangwu will be a similar-but-better player than Abdullah. Abdullah, in the latter stages of his NFL career, landed with another NFL team already.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer talks about Kene Nwangwu’s return

“He’s got great speed, and we’ll try to utilize that on some of the special teams and go from there.” Zimmer said.

Vikings RB Kene Nwangwu enticed Minnesota fans with his speed during training camp. During the preseason, however, Nwangwu suffered a setback.

The Vikings rookie running back sustained a knee injury in the preseason opener. Minnesota then placed Nwangwu on IR. Last week, the Vikings finally activated Nwangwu off the reserve/injured list.

Mike Zimmer talked about Nwangwu’s potential fit with the team going forward:

“We thought he would possibly be the kickoff returner,” Zimmer said. “So we tried to give him some looks there. He’s got great speed, and we’ll try to utilize that on some of the special teams and go from there.”

Nwangwu could be an option for the offense, too. The Vikings released Ameer Abdullah in the process of bringing Nwangwu back. Abdullah’s absence leaves a hole in the Vikings’ offense. Nwangwu possibly has a similar skillset to Abdullah due to his break-away speed and the ability in the return.

Will that translate into Nwangwu being a vital player on this 2021 team? Only time will tell.

Vikings rookies who could get significant roles in the rest of 2021

Here are some Vikings rookies who could be looking at significant roles in the rest of 2021:

The Vikings’ 2021 draft class has not been crucial to the team this season.

Whether it’s injuries or just a failure to launch, the Minnesota rookies have, for the most part, not been starting games and making vital plays. However, with the Vikings coming out of a bye week, all that could change.

Here are some Vikings rookies who could be looking at big roles in the rest of 2021:

 

Vikings make corresponding roster moves

The Vikings activated RB Kene Nwangwu off the reserve/injured list Tuesday.

Minnesota’s 2021 draft class has not seen a lot of the field this season.

Vikings first-round pick Christian Darrisaw earned his first career start on Sunday after dealing with a groin injury this year. WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette has been good on special teams. But other than a handful of players, no rookies have made a huge impact yet.

That could change soon. Minnesota activated RB Kene Nwangwu, a fourth-round pick out of Iowa State, off IR this week. Nwangwu enticed Vikings fans with his breakaway speed in training camp. He should have a role on special teams. He also adds something as a receiving threat at running back.

The Vikings released RB Ameer Abdullah, making room for Nwangwu on the active roster. Abdullah and Nwangwu are similar players stylistically, so this move makes sense. Abdullah can offer something to a different NFL team still — as a reserve running back or a return man.

Vikings WR Dan Chisena, RB Kene Nwangwu designated to return to practice

The Vikings get two players back at practice this week.

Minnesota is set to get two special teams players back from practice this week.

Vikings WR Dan Chisena and RB Kene Nwangwu are both expected to be back, the team announced on Wednesday.

Nwangwu was tabbed as a promising prospect, and that was on full display amid training camp when he showcased his speed. Chisena, also very speedy, has been a gunner on the Vikings’ punt unit.

Minnesota could use both of these players when it takes on Seattle. Nwangwu’s role won’t be as important now that running back Ameer Abdullah is signed to the active roster. Abdullah and Nwangwu offer something similar stylistically, with them both being running backs who can make an impact as receiving options.

Nwangwu’s role remains to be seen, but WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette has been good as a kick returner, so he has ample competition.

Minnesota moved to 1-2 with the victory over the Seahawks. Minnesota has a tough matchup with Cleveland in Week 4 this week. It might help to have these players back, though it remains to be seen whether they will actually be ready by Sunday.

Vikings RB Kene Nwangwu could return to practice soon

Vikings RB Kene Nwangwu could be back soon.

Vikings RB Kene Nwangwu was expected to compete as a kick returner in 2021, but a hyperextended left knee has derailed his rookie season.

However, Nwangwu could be back as soon as Wednesday, as first pointed out by Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. Once a player is designated for return off IR, the team needs to active him in the next 21 days.

At this point, Nwangwu could also be a good depth player at running back. He offers something in the receiving game. Minnesota signed Ameer Abdullah recently, so that role isn’t as dire now, but Nwangwu is a very speedy back who could factor in.

RB Dalvin Cook did miss the Week 3 game against the Seahawks. If Cook ends up missing more time, expect RB Alexander Mattison to take more carries. Expect Nwangwu to possibly fill in at times — on offense and special teams.

Nwangwu was a fourth round draft pick this year.

Report: Vikings RB Kene Nwangwu suffers hyperextended left knee in preseason opener

Vikings RB Kene Nwangwu is expected to be ready for the team’s regular season opener.

Vikings fans who attended training camp this year probably saw Kene Nwangwu darting across the field at points. Unfortunately, Nwangwu’s speed didn’t really get to be showcased in the Vikings preseason opener.

The Minnesota rookie running back suffered an injury on the team’s opening kickoff, forcing him to leave the game. According to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press, that injury turned out to be a hyperextended left knee.

There is good news, though: Nwangwu is expected to be ready for the team’s regular season opener against the Bengals on Sept. 12.

Also per Tomasson, Nwangwu is being evaluated on a week-by-week basis. He will miss the preseason matchup against the Colts, but it’s not clear whether he will be available against the Chiefs, which is the final game on the Vikings’ preseason schedule.

In Nwangwu’s absence, undrafted free agent A.J. Rose stepped up last week. He finished the Broncos game with 100 rushing yards on 25 carries. Now, it looks like he will have another chance at impressing the coaching staff on Saturday against Indianapolis.