31 August 2023
The Vikings have placed running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu on injured reserve with a lower back injury, head coach Kevin O’Connell said Thursday.
Nwangwu has rushed for only 75 yards on 22 carries in two seasons since being drafted in 2021 out of Iowa State in the fourth round, but has found a role as the Vikings’ kick returner. In 17 games, Nwangwu has returned 53 kicks for 1,499 yards and three touchdowns.
He is eligible to return this season but O’Connell would not put a timeline on Nwangwu’s recovery.
“In conversations with Kene, he’s feeling better and better, and we’ll continue to work through that with him and try to get him back at some point this year,” the head coach said.
Running back Ty Chandler is the front-runner to return kicks in the Vikings’ Sept. 10 opener against Tampa Bay at U.S. Bank Stadium.
“I think Ty did some really good things in training camp any time, really, he had the ball in his hand,” O’Connell said.
The Vikings will look at others leading up to next Sunday’s kickoff but it appears Chandler, a second-year player from North Carolina, will get first crack. Chandler missed most of last season because of a thumb injury, rushing only six times for 20 yards.
“I feel comfortable with Ty back there,” O’Connell said. “I think he’s earned the right to get those first opportunities, and I know in time he’s going to take it and run with it.”
Practice squad
The Vikings on Thursday signed four players to their practice squad, including linebacker Nick Vigil, who started 12 games for Minnesota in 2021, amassing 85 total tackles and returning an interception 38 yards.
The Vikings also signed three offensive linemen: Henry Byrd, 6-foot-5, 310 pounds, from Princeton; Hakeem Adeniji, 6-4, 315, from Kansas; and Tyrese Robinson, 6-3, 317, from Oklahoma.
Related Articles
Vikings agree to terms with tight end T.J. Hockenson
Vikings start finalizing practice squad following cutdown day
Vikings sign RB Myles Gaskin and OT David Quessenberry, waive WR Jalen Reagor
Vikings finalize their initial 53-man roster. Who’s in? Who’s out?
Which Vikings players are on the bubble ahead of cutdown day?