The return game is getting some extra juice from the New York Jets.
NFL Network Insider On social media, Tom Pelissero announced that Kene Nwangwu has joined the green and white practice squad. From 2021 until 2024, Nwangwu was most recently a member of the Minnesota Vikings.
He was left off of the final roster of the Vikings at the end of August. Nwangwu failed his physical examination when the New Orleans Saints tried to sign him, so the following day they waived him.
Jets Have An Additional Way to Return
Nwangwu, a dynamic return man, is twenty-six. He was selected as a second-team All-Pro in 2022 while playing with the Vikings as a return specialist.
Throughout his three years in the NFL, Nwangwu has only played kick return; nevertheless, when healthy, he is one of the league’s greatest returners. Nwangwu had his best season in 2022, earning Second-Team All-Pro accolades thanks to his 920 kick return yards and one score, writing for Yahoo Sports’ Alex Smith. As a rookie, Nwangwu had ran back two kickoffs for touchdowns.
Throughout his four years in the NFL, Nwangwu has only touched the ball 33 times as a running back. He gained 88 rushing yards while carrying the rock 27 times. Nwangwu has also recorded 30 receiving yards on six career catches. His effect in the NFL has mostly been felt on special teams.
The former Iowa State standout was selected with the 119th overall pick in the fourth round of the draft.
Jets Try Again with a Skilled Return Man
This offseason, the NFL made significant changes to its kickoff regulations. Because they have the potential to make a difference, these innovations have increased the emphasis on having excellent returners.
That’s perhaps why the Jets took a shot on Tarik Cohen, another former All-Pro returner, earlier in the offseason. With Cohen “getting his juice back,” everything appeared to be going well during training camp and the spring.
But Cohen unexpectedly announced his retirement in the middle of training camp, ruining his hopes of making a comeback in the NFL.
Not right away, though, did New York bolt to go grab another guy. Rather, they just resorted to internal resources and collaborated with those players for the past few weeks.
This Nwangwu addition is an example of a low-risk, high-reward decision. The green and white can move on if he doesn’t have the same juice. Nwangwu, though, would be a viable alternative for the squad to take into consideration in the rematch game in 2024 provided he displays some guts.
It is uncertain if he will be an addition to the practice squad for Monday Night Football because he signed his contract just hours before the Jets play the 49ers.
For the Jets, this will be an intriguing case study whether he is or isn’t.
The Football Database states that during the preseason, four Jets players recorded returns. Brandon Codrington, Malachi Corley, Isaiah Davis, and Xazavian Valladay were those four players.
Corley and Davis are both on the 53-man roster, while Valladay is on the practice squad. Before the final roster cuts, Codrington—who had a few plays worthy of a highlight reel—was traded to the Buffalo Bills.
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