GIOVANI BERNARD NEWS

Misses practice Bernard (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Bernard is considered day-to-day with a minor MCL sprain after catching nine passes for 51 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's loss to the Rams. He didn't do much Weeks 1 and 2, and he'll likely have a smaller role if he suits up Sunday night, as the Bucs aren't likely to fall behind by three scores against New England.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Day-to-day with MCL sprain Bernard is considered day-to-day after suffering a slight MCL sprain during Sunday's road loss to the Rams, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Impact Bernard earned far more offensive snaps (33 of 73) than Leonard Fournette (26) and Ronald Jones (12), likely due to the Buccaneers playing most of the game in catch-up mode. Fournette and Jones continued to handle all the RB work (nine total carries), with the former corralling all three of his targets, but Bernard had more touches than both backs en route to nine catches (on 10 targets) for 51 yards and one TD. Bernard took a shot to his knee as he tumbled into the end zone on the Bucs' final play on offense, but fortunately for the ninth-year pro he was a chance to miss no time due to the injury.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Super Bowl champs looking at ways to improve ground game

When Tom Brady scrambles three times and is your leading rusher, the running game clearly is not working the way it should

SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rams' Stafford throws for 4 TDs, outduels Brady and Bucs

Matthew Stafford passed for 343 yards and four touchdowns as he outdueled Tom Brady and led the Los Angeles Rams to a 34-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Another two catches Sunday Bernard did not record a carry but secured both targets for 16 yards in the Buccaneers' 48-25 win over the Falcons on Sunday.

Impact Bernard wasn't called upon in the running game for the second time in as many contests to open the season, but he once again filled a modest role as a third-down/two-minute back over six snaps from scrimmage. The veteran is likely to furnish many similar stat lines to those of his first two games as long as the starting duo of Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones remain healthy.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Pair of grabs in opener Bernard did not record a carry but brought in two of three targets for 12 yards in the Buccaneers' 31-29 win over the Cowboys on Thursday night.

Impact The veteran filled the role he was brought in for right from the jump, operating in the two-minute offense and kicking off the Buccaneers' game-winning drive with receptions on two of the first three plays. Those would constitute Bernard's only touches of the night, and on weeks when game script doesn't tilt so heavily toward the pass, he may also see a handful of carries sprinkled in on top of his receiving work. However, Bernard's opportunities on early downs project to be very limited, with Carmen Vitali of the team's official site relaying that head coach Bruce Arians called Bernard "our third down back, our two-minute back" in postgame comments.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 1

The start-or-sit dilemma is part of managing a fantasy football team

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Logs full practice Monday Bernard (ankle) practiced fully Monday.

Impact Bernard missed some recent practices with what was termed a mild high-ankle sprain, but there was an expectation that he'd be able to suit up Week 1. Indeed, with a full session under his belt, he's poised to be out there Thursday against the Cowboys in a change-of-pace role behind the Buccaneers' top two running backs Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Practices Sunday Bernard (ankle) participated in Sunday's practice, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Added clarity with regard to Bernard's level of participation may not arrive until the Buccaneers submit their initial practice/injury report in advance of Thursday's season-opening clash against the Cowboys. When healthy, Bernard profiles as a pass-catching option out of the backfield for QB Tom Brady, though the continued presence of Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones presumably will limit Bernard's rushing volume, as long as they remain available.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Has mild high-ankle sprain Bernard will miss Thursday's practice with a mild high-ankle sprain, but he's still expected to play Week 1 against Dallas, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Impact A season-opening game next Thursday won't work in Bernard's favor, but the Bucs apparently expect him to play all the same. If not, Leonard Fournette would be the best bet for third-down snaps, as Bruce Arians seems to trust him a little more than Ronald Jones and Ke'Shawn Vaughn when it comes to blocking and pass catching.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

One grab in exhibition finale Bernard did not log a carry and secured one of three targets for two yards in the Buccaneers' 23-16 preseason win over the Texans on Saturday night.

Impact Bernard again was used sparingly, but his level of usage has no bearing on his regular-season standing. The veteran running back is locked into a third-down role, and based on praise earlier in camp from head coach Bruce Arians, Bernard potentially could see some early-down work on occasion as well. The 29-year-old's next taste of action will come in the Week 1 showdown with the Cowboys on Thursday, Sept. 9.

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Minimal usage in loss Bernard rushed once for no gain and failed to bring in his only target in the Buccaneers' 34-3 preseason loss to the Titans on Saturday night.

Impact Despite Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette sitting out the contest, Bernard was barely utilized in his own right. Head coach Bruce Arians has been effusive in his praise for the pass-catching running back this summer and Bernard has a very established track record, so the modest opportunity Saturday was undoubtedly a byproduct of precaution and a game script that tilted more toward the pass. Bernard will open the regular season in what should primarily be a pass-catching role, but Arians has hinted the former Bengal could get a share of early-down opportunities as well.

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Titans defense shuts down Brady-less Buccaneers 34-3

Briean Boddy-Calhoun returned a fumble 42 yards for a touchdown and the Tennessee Titans beat the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who played without Tom Brady and several...

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Locking down role Coach Bruce Arians said Thursday that Bernard has been "more than pretty good" and has already earned a major role in the Tampa Bay offense, Pewter Report reports.

Impact Bernard was just average as a pure runner even in his prime, but his reliable work as a pass catcher and blocker paints a sharp contrast with the other running backs on Tampa Bay's roster. He was the favorite for third-down snaps the second he signed, and it sounds like the Bucs might have even more in mind for the 29-year-old former Bengal. That said, Bernard won't be the lead runner, and may be just third or fourth in line for carries even if he's seeing some targets every week. Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones are the candidates to top the team in rushing.

AUGUST 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Giovani Bernard Fantasy Outlook on the Rise With Exciting Preseason Usage by Buccaneers The Tampa Bay Buccaneers boast one of the best offenses in the NFL, and while much of that comes from Tom Brady and the passing game, it doe...

AUGUST 16, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM

Ranking the biggest concerns for each NFC South team in 2021

From QB issues to what might stop the GOAT from getting another ring, former NFL GM Randy Mueller breaks down the NFC South.

AUGUST 16, 2021

Super Bowl champs rest starters, fall to Bengals 19-14

Tom Brady and the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers opened the NFL preseason with a 19-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals

AUGUST 15, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

A rare addition for Buccaneers, Giovani Bernard a 'perfect fit' for Tom Brady The ex-Bengals running back, signed as a free agent this spring, could boost the Bucs offense as a third-down pass-catching back.

AUGUST 13, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Confident, healthy Mixon wants lead role again with Bengals

Joe Mixon has recovered from a foot injury and looks healthy and strong early in training camp

AUGUST 10, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brady, Bucs eager to get to work, defend Super Bowl title

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are all in to try to repeat as Super Bowl champions

JULY 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Stands out this offseason Bernard earned praise for his work in voluntary OTAs and mini-camp this offseason, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Impact The running back profiles as a younger and more explosive version of last year's veteran pass-catching back for Tampa Bay, LeSean McCoy, and Bernard boasts a track record that supports the notion he'll be a natural fit for the role. He attended both voluntary OTAs and unofficial workouts organized by Tom Brady in an attempt to get up to speed with the Buccaneers' system, and he'll head into training camp with a seemingly strong foundation as he looks to fend off Ke'Shawn Vaughn for playing time behind Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette.

JULY 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Buccaneers: Giovani Bernard fitting in perfectly in Tampa Giovani Bernard is fitting in perfectly with the Buccaneers in Tampa. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers absolutely made the right decision several mo...

MAY 30, 2021 • THEPEWTERPLANK.COM

Super Bowl champions address wants, not needs in NFL draft

Theoretically, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could have opted out of the NFL draft and still felt good about their chances of repeating as Super Bowl champions

MAY 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bengals fill urgent needs in draft, build around QB Burrow

The Cincinnati Bengals focused on their lines during this year’s NFL draft

MAY 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Giovani Bernard next best thing to James White So far this offseason, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have done a masterful job of writing the book on how to maintain a championship roster, retu...

APRIL 20, 2021 • THEPEWTERPLANK.COM