The Vikings are hoping Nwangwu touches the ball more on kickoff returns, too. The new kickoff format incentivizes kickers to put the ball in play because a touchback now starts the offense at the 30-yard line, 5 yards farther up the field.

But coaches have kept Nwangwu under wraps as a kick returner. Through two preseason games, he hasn’t taken a single return.

Nwangwu said coaches know what he can do in that phase, so there’s no reason to risk revealing their plans or getting him injured, even as the Vikings are practicing a new format that more resembles a punt return and opens up possibilities for creative blocking assignments.

“I think it’s going to be exciting,” he said. “It’s going to be real creative just being able to get into different schemes, different looks and take advantage of a phase I think we’re really good at.”

The Vikings waived second-year cornerback NaJee Thompson, a special teams standout last season, and undrafted rookie offensive tackle Jeremy Flax on Wednesday. Thompson has been out for all of training camp after offseason knee surgery. With the two roster spots, the Vikings signed undrafted rookie offensive lineman Matt Cindric, who returns to the team after being released in May, and acquired via waivers rookie tight end Neal Johnson, who was cut by the Jets on Tuesday.

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