Ex-Vikings RB Kene Nwangwu fails physical with Saints, back on waivers

Two days after being cut by the Minnesota Vikings, running back Kene Nwangwu is back on waivers.

The New Orleans Saints claimed the former Vikings’ fourth-round pick and All-Pro kick returner but put him back on waivers on Thursday after he failed his physical, according to ESPN's Katherine Terrell.

It’s an interesting development that could shed some light on why Minnesota cut him, although teams can have slightly different physical standards for players.

Nwangwu seemed to be in line to be the Vikings’ primary kick returner this season before he was surprisingly cut. Could he return to Minnesota’s practice squad? It’s possible but the team also has other plans for the kick returner job.

Related: Vikings updates on Hockenson, plan at kick returner, confidence in Ed Ingram

The 26-year-old has never really served as a running back during his NFL career, although he did seem to make some strides there this summer. However, he’s been an excellent returner.

Over his first three seasons, Nwangwu logged 68 returns for 1,879 and three touchdowns, earning Second Team All-Pro honors in 2022. That could be a particularly valuable skillset with the NFL’s new kickoff rules this season.

We’ll now wait and see if any other team puts in a claim for Nwangwu over the next 24 hours or where he draws interest otherwise.