Jets To Sign KR Kene Nwangwu

Not long after a visit with the Jets, Kene Nwangwu has found a new opportunity. The running back/return specialist is signing with New York, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports.

This will be a practice squad deal, Pelissero adds. Nwangwu enjoyed success in the return game during his three-year stint with the Vikings to begin his career. He did not survive roster cuts, however, as Minnesota elected to go in another direction on special teams.

That led to the Saints putting in a claim on Nwangwu. The 26-year-old appeared to be in place to handle return duties for New Orleans as a result, but one day later he was waived with an injury designation. Before the end of Week 1, he has now landed another chance to carve out a role. The Jets hosted Nwangwu last week, and that process quickly proved to be worthwhile.

New York dealt undrafted rookie Brandon Codrington to the Bills ahead of the roster cutdown deadline after he had an impressive showing in the return game during the preseason. That move came as little surprise given the presence of Xavier Gipson. The 23-year-old scored a punt return touchdown in Week 1 last year and averaged 23.2 yards per return while running back kickoffs.

Gipson is still in place as the Jets’ primary returner, but Nwangwu will give the team another option in that regard. The latter has scored three kick return touchdowns in his career, and he earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2022 for his third phase success. Nwangwu could also serve as backfield depth if needed with the Jets, but any regular action he sees will no doubt primarily come on special teams.