Bengals' patience pays off as Taylor delivers a playoff team
The Cincinnati Bengals' patience with coach Zac Taylor has paid offJANUARY 27, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
GIOVANI BERNARD
With or without Brady, Bucs roster will have different look
Tom Brady intends to take time to ponder his future but one thing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers already know is next season’s roster figures to be significantly different _ with or with...JANUARY 24, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Quiet end to season Bernard did not log a rush attempt and failed to bring in his only target during the Buccaneers' 30-27 loss to the Rams in their NFC divisional-round matchup Sunday. He also return...
Impact The veteran running back logged just nine snaps from scrimmage with Leonard Fournette (hamstring) back in the fold, and no other running back but the latter ended up seeing any carries. Bernard was serviceable when given opportunities this past season, even though those were few and far between. The 30-year-old rushed just eight times for 58 yards, but he did bring in 23 of 29 targets for 123 yards and three touchdowns across 12 regular-season games. He also enjoyed his most productive performance by far during the wild-card win over the Eagles, when he rushed 13 times for 44 yards and a touchdown and added another 39 yards on five grabs. Bernard is due to head back into unrestricted free agency at the start of the new league year, and it remains to be seen if he and the Buccaneers will be interested in having him remain in Tampa.
JANUARY 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Faces added competition Bernard's teammate, Leonard Fournette (hamstring), has been activated off IR by the Buccaneers ahead of Sunday's playoff game against the Rams, Scott Smith of the team's official s...
Impact Meanwhile, Ronald Jones (ankle) remains out this week, but with Fournette set to see his first game action since Week 15, both Bernard and Ke'Shawn Vaughn -- who shared backfield work in the team's wild-card win over the Eagles last weekend -- figure to see decreased volume Sunday. Though Bernard could still potentially make his mark in a change-of-pace role, his divisional-round fantasy ceiling takes a hit with Fournette's return to the mix.
JANUARY 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Avoids injury designation Bernard (hip/knee) doesn't carry an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Rams, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.
Impact Bernard's full practice participation Friday put any doubts about his availability to rest. Meanwhile, Ronald Jones (ankle) has been ruled out and Leonard Fournette (hamstring) remains on IR. A decision on Fournette's status will come down before 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, at which time it will be made clear whether Bernard will work as part of a three-man backfield or split touches with Ke'Shawn Vaughn, as was the case in the wild-card round win over the Eagles. Bernard thrived as part of a two-man timeshare against Philadelphia, totaling 83 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 18 touches.
JANUARY 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Gets in limited work Thursday Bernard (hip/knee) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Despite having a cap on his reps in back-to-back sessions to begin the week, Bernard is the third biggest question mark in the Buccaneers backfield. Leonard Fournette has practiced both days this week but still is on IR due to a strained hamstring, while Ronald Jones was absent both days as he tends to an ankle injury. The team has until 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday to bring back Fournette to the active roster, but if he and Jones can't suit up Sunday versus the Rams, Bernard and Ke'Shawn Vaughn likely will share the RB load this weekend, assuming Bernard is active.
JANUARY 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Logs limited practice Bernard (hip/knee) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.
Impact In his return from injured reserve this past Sunday against the Eagles following a four-game absence, Bernard and Ke'Shawn Vaughn both earned a 49 percent share of offensive snaps with Leonard Fournette (hamstring) still on IR and Ronald Jones (ankle) ruled out. Overall, Bernard turned 13 carries and five catches into 83 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown, while Vaughn had 19 touches for 62 total yards and a score. Bernard's practice limitations may be maintenance-related, but the Buccaneers backfield should be monitored throughout the week to see who among him, Fournette, Jones -- who didn't practice Wednesday -- and Vaughn will be available for Sunday's divisional-round game versus the Rams.
JANUARY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Key role in return Bernard (hip/knee) rushed 13 times for 44 yards and a touchdown and brought in five of seven targets for 39 yards during the Buccaneers' 31-15 win over the Eagles in an NFC wild-ca...
Impact The veteran suited up for the first time since Week 14, and with Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and Ronald Jones (ankle) both out of action, Bernard played a significant role. Bernard logged only four fewer carries than backfield pacesetter Ke'Shawn Vaughn and checked in second in both receptions and receiving yards on the afternoon. He also opened the scoring on the afternoon with a two-yard touchdown to cap off a 12-play, 75-yard game-opening drive for the Buccaneers, making it a very fruitful fantasy afternoon. Despite Sunday's success, however, Bernard's opportunities could take a hit in next weekend's divisional-round clash against either the Rams or Cardinals if at least one of Fournette or Jones is active for the contest.
JANUARY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Brady throws for 2 TDs, SB champions dominate Eagles 31-15
Tom Brady threw for 271 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Tampa Bay Buccaneers launch their bid for a return to the Super Bowl with a dominating 31-15 NFC wild-card playoff vic...JANUARY 16, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Giovani Bernard's goal-line TD caps Bucs' 12-play opening drive Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Giovani Bernard rushes for a touchdown to finish off the first drive of the game.
JANUARY 16, 2022 • NFL.COM
Giovani Bernard Caps First Drive with TD ' Eagles vs. Bucs Highlights RB Giovani Bernard rushes for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card Round.
JANUARY 16, 2022 • BUCCANEERS.COM
Active for first time since Week 14 Bernard (hip/knee) is active for Sunday's wild-card game against the Eagles.
Impact With his return from a pair of injuries now confirmed, Bernard is poised to make his first appearance since Week 14. He'll rejoin a Buccaneers backfield that is without Ronald Jones (ankle) and Leonard Fournette (hamstring), the latter of whom remains on injured reserve. Considering this reality, Bernard could be poised for more work than normal if Tampa Bay decides to lean on the passing attack, but Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Le'Veon Bell are around for early-down and goal-line work. On the season, Barner has recorded 23 catches (on 29 targets) and eight carries en route to 181 yards from scrimmage and three receiving touchdowns in 12 contests.
JANUARY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Questionable for Sunday's game Bernard (hip/knee), whom the Buccaneers activated from injured reserve Saturday, is listed as questionable for Sunday's wild-card matchup with the Eagles, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com r...
Impact Sidelined since Week 14 due to an MCL sprain in his knee and strained tendon in his hip, Bernard is closing in on a full recovery from the pair of injuries. His status will be confirmed about 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, and assuming he's active he'll likely serve as the pass-catching complement to Ke'Shawn Vaughn out of the Buccaneers backfield with Ronald Jones (ankle) out and Leonard Fournette (hamstring) still on IR. Aside from Bernard and Vaughn, Tampa Bay also has Le'Veon Bell and special teamer Kenjon Barner available at running back.
JANUARY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Off injured reserve The Buccaneers activated Bernard (hip/knee) from injured reserve Saturday, Carmen Vitali of the team's official site reports.
Impact The same can't be said for Leonard Fournette, who will miss a fourth contest in a row Sunday versus the Eagles with a strained hamstring. Bernard himself is putting an end to a four-game absence due to hip and knee injuries, and he'll join Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Le'Veon Bell as Tampa Bay's options out of the backfield with Ronald Jones (ankle) not able to play. On the season, Bernard has averaged 7.3 yards on his eight carries and hauled in 23 of 29 targets for 123 yards and three touchdowns in 12 appearances.
JANUARY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Back at practice The Buccaneers designated Bernard (hip) for return from injured reserve Wednesday.
Impact Tampa Bay also designated top running back Leonard Fournette (hamstring) for return from IR, allowing both players to resume practicing with the team following multi-game absences. Both would seem to have a fair chance at gaining clearance prior to Sunday's matchup with the Eagles, but Bernard likely wouldn't be in store for much more than passing-down work if he's available. Even if Fournette isn't activated and Ronald Jones (ankle) is sidelined, the Buccaneers could turn to Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Le'Veon Bell for carries ahead of Bernard.
JANUARY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Lavonte David, Leonard Fournette, Giovani Bernard return to practice for Bucs The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are getting some key players back from injury as they prepare for Sunday’s playoff game
JANUARY 12, 2022 • USATODAY.COM
Takes part in side work at practice Bernard (hip) was spotted working off to the side during the portion of Thursday's practice that was open to the media, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact Bernard doesn't look as though he'll mix into team drills Thursday, so at this stage, the Buccaneers have yet to designate him for return from injured reserve. That doesn't bode well for his chances of being activated ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale with the Panthers, potentially leaving Tampa Bay with a thin backfield. Leonard Fournette (hamstring) is also working off to the side Thursday but isn't eligible to come off IR until the playoffs, while Ronald Jones (ankle) isn't practicing for the second day in a row and looks to be trending toward sitting out the regular-season finale. Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Le'Veon Bell are currently the only healthy running backs on the roster.
JANUARY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Could return Sunday Coach Bruce Arians said Monday that Bernard (hip/knee) could return from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game against Carolina, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site repor...
Impact Bernard has been sidelined since mid-December due to a strained hip and an MCL sprain, but he could be back in action for the Buccaneers' regular-season finale. If he's ultimately available, he should compete for backfield work with Ke'Shawn Vaughn (ribs) and Le'Veon Bell if Ronald Jones (ankle) is out.
JANUARY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Giovani Bernard Holiday Event for Single Parents Running Back Giovani Bernard speaks to 25 single parents from UnitedWay Suncoast. Bernard surprised the families with $500 Target gift cards...
DECEMBER 23, 2021 • BUCCANEERS.COM
Buccaneers address mounting injuries, sign RB Le'Veon Bell
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have addressed the need for experienced depth at running back by signing former All-Pro Le’Veon BellDECEMBER 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
NFL Week 15 injury report: Analysis of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Trey Hendrickson, more
Dr. Matt Provencher analyzes injuries to Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Trey Hendrickson and more ahead of Week 15.DECEMBER 15, 2021
Buccaneers place RB Giovani Bernard on injured reserve The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have placed running back Giovani Bernard on injured reserve and signed punter Sterling Hofrichter to the team’s pra...
DECEMBER 14, 2021 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM
Buccaneers place RB Giovani Bernard on injured reserve
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have placed running back Giovani Bernard on injured reserve and signed punter Sterling Hofrichter to the team’s practice squadDECEMBER 14, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Onto injured reserve The Buccaneers placed Bernard (hip/knee) on injured reserve Tuesday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
Impact Bernard was knocked from the Bucs' Week 14 overtime win against the Bills due to a hip injury. Not only was he eventually diagnosed with a strained hip, an MCL sprain is among the reasons he is heading to IR. Bernard will miss at least three games as a result of the move, meaning his next potential game action won't come until Week 18 against the Panthers, at the earliest. Tampa Bay has been riding Leonard Fournette out of the backfield all season, but Ronald Jones and Ke'Shawn Vaughn now are the other candidates to get on the field in obvious passing situations in place of Bernard.
DECEMBER 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
SB champions show there's plenty of room for improvement
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have 10 wins and are on the brink of clinching their first division title since 2007DECEMBER 14, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
