44 Kenjon Barner RB

Barner (groin) is a candidate to return to Tampa Bay on a league-minimum deal, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Barner won't have much of a place in the Buccaneers backfield after the team decided to bring back Leonard Fournette, but his utility on special teams could allow him a shot to compete during training camp. Barner currently is a free agent after having ended last season on IR due to a groin injury, and his best chance of signing anywhere when healthy will be as an option in the return game.

Barner (groin) returned seven kickoffs for 167 yards and ran back 13 punts for 75 yards across six games during the 2020 regular season. He logged just six snaps from scrimmage, failing to bring in his only target.

The veteran back saw minimal action on offense for the third time in his last four stops, plying his trade as a full-time return man when not on the Buccaneers' practice squad. Barner also dealt with a concussion and a groin injury, the latter which landed him on injured reserve in late December and ultimately kept him sidelined through the team's postseason run. The 31-year-old also served a four-game suspension for violation of the NFL's Policy on Performance-Enhancing Substances during the majority of October and early November, making it an eventful year. Jaydon Mickens also performed well in a returner capacity for Tampa Bay and finished the year in that role, and as a younger option, he presumably has the upper hand on Barner if a decision came down to bringing just one of them back into the fold in 2021.

Barner (groin) has been designated to return from injured reserve this week, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Barner will now have a 21-day window during which he can be moved to the active roster, as the running back will take the practice field Wednesday. Barner was placed on IR in late December, but only played six offensive snaps on the season before suffering the groin ailment. Still, his return would add depth to Tampa's kick and punt return game.

Barner (groin) was placed on IR on Wednesday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Barner had replaced wide receiver Jaydon Mickens as Tampa Bay's return man for punts and kickoffs earlier this season, and the team has promoted Mickens from the practice squad to take back his old role with Barner shelved. The running back played just six snaps on offense all season, so his absence won't be felt in that aspect of the game.

Barner returned two kickoffs for 43 yards and ran back five punts for 20 yards in the Buccaneers' 47-7 win over the Lions on Saturday.

The veteran running back was particularly busy in the blowout win, with the Lions offense frequently stalling once Matthew Stafford (ankle) was forced from the contest. The highlight of Barner's seven returns was a 30-yard scamper on a kickoff runback, and he now has 242 total return yards through six games. Barner's role should remain exclusive to special teams in Week 17, as the 31-year-old has just six snaps from scrimmage on the campaign.

Barner returned three kickoffs for 67 yards and ran back four punts for 32 yards in the Buccaneers' 31-27 win over the Falcons on Sunday.

The veteran played all but one of his 24 snaps on special teams, pulling double duty on returns and doing a solid job on both kickoffs and punts. Barner is expected to handle each role for the last two regular-season games, and presumably, in the postseason. However, Barner isn't expected to see any appreciable action from scrimmage unless multiple injuries strike the running backs corps.

Barner signed to Tampa Bay's active roster from the practice squad Monday.

The 31-year-old was elevated from the practice squad as an extra player for three games this season, but he's now on the active roster in a longer-term capacity. Barner played only four offensive snaps in those appearances but has seen some work in the return game.

Barner reverted to the Buccaneers' practice squad Tuesday, per the NFL's official transaction report.

Barner was the primary return man for the Buccaneers on Monday, returning three punts for 19 yards and one kickoff for 24 yards. He now heads back down to the practice squad but could be called up for Sunday's matchup with the Chiefs if Jaydon Mickens remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list another week.

Barner returned one kickoff for 24 yards and ran back three punts for 19 yards in the Buccaneers' 27-24 loss to the Rams on Monday night.

Barner was promoted from the practice squad for the contest and served as the primary returner in place of Jaydon Mickens, who the Buccaneers have still not removed from the reserve/COVID-19 list. It marked the third game with active status for the veteran running back, who also played in Weeks 3 and 4 against the Broncos and Chargers, respectively. Barner could be a candidate for a return to the practice squad and subsequent call-up for Week 12 against the Chiefs, with Mickens' status likely to play a significant role in the chances of that unfolding.

Barner is active for Monday's game versus the Rams.

Barner was elevated from the practice squad for Monday's game. His presence will force Ke'Shawn Vaughn to serve as a healthy scratch for a third straight game. Barner is expected to add depth as the No. 4 running back in the rotation, and he could chip in as a kick or punt returner as well.

The Buccaneers elevated Barner to the active roster Monday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

This move means there are five running backs on Tampa Bay's active roster for Monday's game against the Rams. Perhaps Barner will get an opportunity as a kick or punt returner in this matchup, but he shouldn't garner many reps in the backfield behind Ronald Jones, Leonard Fournette, LeSean McCoy and Ke'Shawn Vaughn.

Barner completed his four-game suspension and returned to the Buccaneers' practice squad Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Barner was handed a four-game suspension Oct. 6 for violating the NFL's Policy on Performance-Enhancing Substances, but he's now eligible to return to team activities. He's not expected to be called up to the active roster unless one of Ronald Jones, Leonard Fournette, LeSean McCoy or Ke'Shawn Vaughn suffers an injury.

Barner was handed a four-game suspension Tuesday for violating the NFL's Policy on Performance-Enhancing Substances, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.

Barner is currently on the practice squad, but he's been elevated for each of the Buccaneers' last two games. The team's backfield depth is iffy with Leonard Fournette (ankle) and LeSean McCoy (ankle) battling injuries, so the Bucs could bring in another running back on the practice squad.

Barner reverted to the Buccaneers' practice squad Monday, according to the NFL transaction log.

Barner left the team's contest early after suffering a concussion. Prior to exiting the game, he had logged one target and also had a kickoff return for 33 yards.

Barner (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's matchup against the Chargers, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports. He finished the contest with no catches on one target and 33 yards on one kickoff return.

The eight-year NFL veteran was pulled from Sunday's contest after suffering an apparent head injury just before the conclusion of the first half, and team trainers have since deemed him ineligible for return. Barner will have to clear the league's concussion protocol if he has any hope of making it back for Tampa Bay's Week 5 showdown with the Bears, which will come on a short week with the two teams facing off on Thursday Night Football.

Barner exited Sunday's matchup against the Chargers to be evaluated for a concussion, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

The 30-year-old running back and return specialist was injured while attempting to catch a Tom Brady pass in the final two minutes of the first half, and his return to the game remains questionable. Barner was unlikely to make substantial contributions for the Buccaneers' offensive attack during Week 4, as he had garnered one target and no rush attempts at the time of his exit. Tampa Bay remains with Ronald Jones and Ke'Shawn Vaughn as its top two rushers after LeSean McCoy injured his ankle on Tampa Bay's opening offensive drive of the afternoon.

The Buccaneers have elevated Barner to the active roster, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Barner will likely be active for Sunday's game versus the Chargers, but even with Leonard Fournette (ankle) ruled out, he'll likely stick to special teams.

Barner reverted back to Tampa Bay's practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction report.

Barner suited up for the Buccaneers in Week 3 against Denver but played only four snaps, all on special teams. He'll hope to earn another promotion to the 53-man roster as the season unfolds.

Barner is active for Sunday's Week 3 tilt against the Broncos after being elevated from the practice squad Saturday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

How much action that actually translates to is still very much in the air, however, considering the top running back trio of Ronald Jones, Leonard Fournette and LeSean McCoy all are healthy. Instead, it's possible Barner is utilized in either or both returner roles, considering his extensive experience in that area over his previous seven NFL seasons.

Barner was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

The veteran's elevation is somewhat curious, considering the Buccaneers' robust running back depth chart is at full health. However, while 2020 rules allow for each team to promote up to two practice squad players each week, there is no requirement for said players to be active on gameday. If Barner were to be in uniform against the Broncos on Sunday, it would likely be for his work on special teams, where he's garnered extensive experience in both returner roles over his seven seasons.