44 Kenjon Barner RB

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.

The Buccaneers signed Barner (lower body) to the practice squad Thursday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Barner served as Atlanta's primary return man in 2019, accounting for 267 yards while fielding punts and 406 yards on kickoffs. He fills the practice squad spot that would have been occupied by rookie seventh-round pick Raymond Calais, who was poached by the Rams.

Barner (lower body) was let go by Baltimore on Saturday, Morgan Adsit of Fox Baltimore reports.

Barner was dealing with an injury that forced him to miss some of the later stages of camp, so it's likely that contributed to his release. The depth tailback and return specialist will look to find opportunity elsewhere, perhaps returning to Baltimore on its practice squad.

Barner departed Friday's practice after suffering a lower-body injury while fielding a punt, John Reid of The Florida Times-Union reports.

Barner limped to the locker room, indicating it's a lower-body injury, but there are no other details about the nature of his issues. The 31-year-old is battling for a roster spot in Baltimore after spending the last three years with four different teams, so his best path to a roster spot is by returning kicks and punts.

Barner signed a contract with the Ravens on Wednesday.

The Ravens are hoping to use sixth-round pick James Proche as their return specialist, but they'll bring in Barner as a backup plan in case the rookie isn't ready for the assignment. The 31-year-old isn't likely to get much of a chance on offense, where he'll be stuck behind Mark Ingram, J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill on the depth chart at running back.

The Ravens are expected to sign Barner, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Barner doesn't have much utility outside of the return game, but for his career he's averaged 23.4 yards on 48 kick returns and 7.7 yards on 72 punt returns. Last season, he even took a punt to the house for the Falcons in a Week 11 matchup against the Panthers. With Baltimore, he's most likely to vie for the primary kick return role with reserve running back Justice Hill.

Barner ran for 28 yards on four carries and caught six of eight targets for 22 receiving yards during 2019. He also accumulated 267 punt return yards and one touchdown on 35 attempts and 406 kick return yards on 17 attempts.

The 29-year-old finished top 10 in yards per punt return for the first time in his career during 2019, while his 23.9 yards-per-kick-return average ranked fifth best in the NFC. Barner becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and he offers special-teams ace ability to whichever team elects to sign the veteran. His offensive role will likely remain limited, however, as he hasn't garnered more than 28 rush attempts in any season since being drafted by Carolina in 2013.

Barner doesn't carry an injury designation heading into Week 17's game against Tampa Bay.

Barner was upgraded to a full participant in Friday's practice after managing both shoulder and hip injuries. The veteran is expected to handle return duties for the game while providing depth at the running back position behind Devonta Freeman and Brian Hill for Week 17.