Breece Hall’s groin injury provides the Jets’ Kene Nwangwu with a perfect opportunity

Injuries are hitting the New York Jets’ running back room at the perfect time for veteran Kene Nwangwu.

Not that he should be rooting for his sidelined teammates, of course. However, Breece Hall’s groin injury, which will likely cost him the rest of the preseason, only means added carries for the 28-year-old Nwangwu.

Isaiah Davis remains out with a knee injury, and he’s also unlikely to play ahead of the Sept. 13 opener against the Titans. That leaves Nwangwu and Braelon Allen as the main first-team running backs, and both have spent the summer taking advantage.  

All signs point to both receiving significant snaps against the Steelers on Friday night, and you’ll want to keep a close eye on Nwangwu.

What to know about New York Jets running back Kene Nwangwu

A 2021 fourth-round pick of the Vikings, Nwangwu has rushed for 137 yards on 40 carries in five seasons. A significant amount of that production came last year, when he picked up 49 yards on 13 attempts.

But lining up at running back isn’t what keeps Nwangwu in the NFL. He has five kick return touchdowns, including three 99-yarders, and earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2022.

Ahead of the 2021 draft, NFL Media's Lance Zierlein projected that Nwangwu would be a seventh-round pick. However, he felt that the ex-Iowa State rusher would likely fail to make a team because of "underdeveloped aspects,” including what he felt was an unnatural running style.

“Nwangwu has open-field speed to hit a crease and go, but he’s often indecisive with the ball in his hands as he lacks a runner’s instincts and fails to anticipate run-lane development,” Zierlein wrote.

Not only did Nwangwu go well above his predicted draft range, but he’s also played 51 games and established himself as a reliable kick returner. Whether that will translate to success in the backfield, though, remains to be seen. 

Some returners are at their best on special teams, which sounds obvious. Just because someone is an excellent punt or kick returner doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be a playmaker on offense or defense. It’s similar to how not every punter or kicker can handle both duties.

Nwangwu rushed for six yards on six carries last Friday, though that number is inflated by a five-yard run. Picking up one yard on his other five attempts wasn’t an ideal way to prove he deserves more offensive touches. He also had a four-yard catch, which is good news for a Jets team wanting to use running backs more in the passing game.

Given his kick return skills, Nwangwu feels like a lock to make the 53-man roster. But Friday night will be an excellent test to see if the Jets can trust him at running back.  

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