Nwangwu Fails Physical, Won’t Join Saints

The New Orleans Saints’ recently acquired running back and return specialist Kene Nwangwu will no longer be joining the team. At least for now. 

Saints head coach Dennis Allen announced during his post-practice media availability on Thursday that the former Minnesota Viking did not pass his physical. While this does not close the door for Nwangwu and the Saints, it certainly delays the process at the very least. 

Nwangwu, a second-team All-Pro returner in 2022, was set to join 2023’s first-team All-Pro Rashid Shaheed as one of the league’s top kick return tandems. Now, he will head back to the market until the lingering ailment that caused his failed physical is taken care of. 

The Saints now maintain their existing running back room of Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Adams and Jordan Mims. Mims missed practice on Thursday, but Allen made clear that he is expected back for Monday’s practice after the long weekend away. 

Meanwhile on the returner side, Shaheed and offensive weapon Taysom Hill should go on to be the team’s primary returners. Assuming what the Saints found it’s Nwangwu was not something serious, there is always the chance he returns when healthy. But that will remain unclear for now.