The Jets have signed RB Kene Nwangwu to the active roster and released RB Israel Abanikanda.
Nwangwu (6-1, 210) signed with Jets practice squad in September and was elevated to the active roster for Sunday's Week 13 game vs. Seattle. He forced a fumble that the Jets converted into a touchdown in the first quarter and returned a kickoff 99 yards for a score early in the second quarter.
Before joining the Jets, he spent all three years of his NFL career with the Vikings, after Minnesota drafted him in the fourth round out of Iowa State in 2021. As a return specialist, he led the league with 2 return scores as a rookie. His 35 returns in the 2022 season also led the NFL. Nwangwu has 4 return TDs in as many seasons and has a career 28.7-yard kick return average.
Abanikanda (5-10, 216) was selected by the Jets in the fifth round (No. 143) of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Pittsburgh. As a rookie, he played in 6 games, registered 22 carries for 70 yards and 3 first downs. He also had 7 receptions for 43 yards. He had has yet to appear in a game this season.
Abanikanda spent 3 seasons at Pitt and played in 26 games (12 starts). He rushed for 1,576 yards and 28 touchdowns, including 20 rushing TDs in 2022. Abanikanda attended Abraham Lincoln High School in Brookyln, NY, and as a senior was the Gatorade Player of the Year for New York State.
