JAELON DARDEN NEWS

WATCH: Blaine Gabbert hits Jaelon Darden for 23-yard TD vs. Dolphins The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have an early lead over the Miami Dolphins in their preseason opener

AUGUST 14, 2022 • USATODAY.COM

Tom Brady Throws Deep Ball to Jaelon Darden | Play of the Day Watch as quarterback Tom Brady throws a deep ball to Jaelon Darden during training camp practice.

AUGUST 6, 2022 • BUCCANEERS.COM

Todd Bowles on Jaelon Darden's Progress Through Training Camp | Press Conference Head coach Todd Bowles spoke to the media on Wednesday following the seventh day of training camp.

AUGUST 3, 2022 • BUCCANEERS.COM

Jaelon Darden Makes One Handed Catch | Play of the Day 220730POTDJalen_16x9.mp4

JULY 30, 2022 • BUCCANEERS.COM

Aiming for Year 2 boost Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Darden has enjoyed a "great" offseason and is aiming to carve out a much bigger role on offense in his second season, Greg McKenna of the Tam...

Impact The speedy wideout saw the overwhelming majority of his touches on special teams as a rookie, logging 501 return yards to only six receptions. With players with comparable speed and more experience such as Breshad Perriman and Cyril Grayson serving as competition, Darden will first and foremost have to compete for a roster spot outright in training camp. However, in addition to Bowles' praise, cornerback Carlton Davis has also noted how far along Darden has come while often working against him this offseason, and the young wideout was also a frequent target of Tom Brady during minicamp drills in June.

JULY 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

In Year 2, Bucs' Jaelon Darden still has plenty to prove Can the fourth-round pick become the latest undersized receiver to find success with Tom Brady under center?

JUNE 17, 2022 • TAMPABAY.COM

Posts 67 return yards before exit Darden, who exited Sunday's divisional-round loss to the Rams in the fourth quarter with a concussion, returned four kickoffs for 62 yards and one punt for five yards prior to his...

Impact The Bucs have high hopes for Darden as an eventual downfield threat, but given the depth the team enjoyed at receiver most of the season, 2021 was more about acclimating the North Texas product to the speed of the NFL. That was primarily accomplished through getting Darden consistent work on returns as the season unfolded, and his solid efforts in that capacity helped lead to the eventual cut of fellow wideout/returner Jaydon Mickens. Darden should have more opportunities than the 87 total snaps he logged from scrimmage during his rookie campaign come 2022, particularly if Chris Godwin (knee) and Breshad Perriman (hip) depart via free agency.

JANUARY 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out with concussion Darden (concussion) won't return to Sunday's divisional-round matchup against the Rams, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Impact Darden was hurt after taking a hit on a punt return during the fourth quarter, and he'll be unable to return for the final few minutes of the game. If the Buccaneers advance in the playoffs, Darden will have several steps to clear if he hopes to play in the NFC Championship Game.

JANUARY 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Being evaluated for a concussion Darden (head) left Sunday's divisional contest against the Rams and is being evaluated for a concussion, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Impact Darden suffered the injury after being struck by Ben Skowronek on a punt return. If Darden is unable to return, Tyler Johnson will likely take over kick return duties while Scotty Miller handles punts. His absence shouldn't impact Tampa Bay's offensive plan.

JANUARY 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Totals 29 yards on returns Darden ran back one kickoff for 16 yards and returned four punts for 13 yards during the Buccaneers' 31-15 win over the Eagles in Sunday's wild-card matchup.

Impact Darden played almost exclusively on special teams, logging just two snaps from scrimmage. The speedy rookie is likely to remain in the same role for Sunday's divisional-round clash against the Rams unless additional injuries befall the Buccaneers' already short-handed receiving corps.

JANUARY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Full participant Thursday Darden (illness) was a full participant in Thursday's practice session.

Impact Darden was limited at Wednesday's practice after he was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, but he took a step forward Thursday. He should be available for Sunday's matchup against Carolina and could see a slight uptick in playing time since Chris Godwin (knee) is out for the season, and Antonio Brown (ankle) had his contract terminated Thursday.

JANUARY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared from COVID list Darden (illness) has been activated off the Buccaneers' reserve/COVID-19 list, Scott Smith of the team's official website reports.

Impact Darden was placed on the COVID list prior to Week 16 and missed the team's last two games versus the Panthers and Jets as a result. He will now be free to return to practice and resume his usual role as a depth receiver and kick returner in Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Panthers.

JANUARY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Moved to COVID-19 list Darden (illness) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Darden isn't expected to test his way out of COVID-19 protocols in time to face the Panthers on Sunday. The Buccaneers are banged up at wide receiver, but the rookie fourth-round pick's impact has been limited primarily to special teams up to this point, anyway. Tyler Johnson and Scotty Miller are expected to return kickoffs and punts, respectively, for the duration of Darden's absence.

DECEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Buccaneers-Panthers Injury Report Dec. 23: Jaelon Darden, Rakeem Nuñez-Roches Added The Buccaneers added Darden, Nuñez-Roches and quarterback Tom Brady on a rest day to their injury report on Thursday.

DECEMBER 23, 2021 • BUCCANEERS.COM

Browns' C Tretter, Saints QBs test positive for COVID-19

Both Saints veteran quarterbacks, Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian, Minnesota star running back Dalvin Cook and Cleveland center JC Tretter, the NFL Players Association president, te...

DECEMBER 23, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Plenty of snaps, little production Darden failed to bring in any of the three targets he logged over 41 snaps during the Buccaneers' 9-0 loss to the Saints on Sunday night. He returned two kickoffs for 33 yards and...

Impact Darden's usage from scrimmage, which was at a career-high level, jumps off the page, even as the only touches he actually garnered came in his special-teams role. With Chris Godwin (knee) now gone for the remainder of the season and Mike Evans (hamstring) still uncertain for Week 16, the rookie could certainly be primed for another busy day of route running versus the Panthers in that contest. Whether that translates to much production remains to be seen, however -- Darden has just six receptions for 43 yards on 11 targets across eight games.

DECEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sticks to returns in return Darden logged three snaps from scrimmage without a target in the Buccaneers' 33-27 overtime win over the Bills on Sunday but returned three kickoffs for 38 yards and one punt for 1...

Impact The rookie wideout saw Tyler Johnson and Breshad Perriman absorb the majority of wideout snaps behind the top duo of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, not an unexpected development even with Antonio Brown (ankle/suspension) and Scotty Miller (coach's decision) both unavailable. Darden is likely to stick to returns in a Week 15 Sunday night matchup against the Saints.

DECEMBER 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Will play Sunday Darden has been cleared from concussion protocol and will play against the Bills on Sunday, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact After he was previously listed as questionable, Darden's return will provide a big boost to Tampa Bay's special teams unit as the 22-year-old is a talented kick returner. Additionally, Darden adds some depth at the wide receiver position for Buccaneers.

DECEMBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Sunday Darden (concussion) is questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Bills.

Impact Darden was a full participant in every practice this week, but he still carries a questionable designation heading into the weekend. The 5-foot-8 wideout has mostly operated as a return specialist this season, and if he is unable to suit up Sunday, Tyler Johnson and Giovani Bernard will likely handle those duties again.

DECEMBER 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Sunday Darden (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Falcons, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Despite registering a full practice Thursday, Darden wasn't able to practice with contact at all this week and has been officially ruled out for Week 13. The 5-foot-8 wideout has mostly operated as a return specialist this season, so in his absence, Tyler Johnson and Giovani Bernard are the most likely candidates to handle those duties against the Falcons.

DECEMBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Buccaneers-Falcons Injury Report Dec. 3: Jordan Whitehead, Jaelon Darden Ruled Out The Bucs ruled two players out ahead of their division contest in Atlanta for Week 13.

DECEMBER 3, 2021 • BUCCANEERS.COM

Full practice Thursday Darden (concussion) was a full participant at Thursday's practice, Carmen Vitali of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact The 22-year-old picked up the head injury in Week 12 versus the Colts but appears like he will have a shot at being available for Sunday's matchup with the Falcons. He wore a non-contact jersey Thursday, so his ability to take contact Friday is something to pay attention to. Darden has operated mostly as a return specialist this season, racking up 212 kick return yards and 87 yards on punts.

DECEMBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Concussion confirmed Coach Bruce Arians said Monday that Darden has entered concussion protocol, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Darden racked up 66 kick-return yards before being knocked out of Sunday's 38-31 win over the Colts. If he is unable to clear concussion protocols before Week 13 at Atlanta, then Giovani Bernard is expected to handle kick-return duties, while Scotty Miller would likely handle punt returns.

NOVEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Evaluated for possible concussion Darden is being evaluated for a possible concussion and is questionable to return Sunday against the Colts, Carmen Vitali of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Darden has left his mark as a return specialist, racking up 66 yards on three kick returns and just three yards following two punt returns.

NOVEMBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Downturn in production Darden brought in in his only target for three yards, returned a kickoff for 13 yards and ran back a punt for nine yards in the Buccaneers' 30-10 win over the Giants on Monday nigh...

Impact Darden garnered active status once again with Antonio Brown (ankle) and Scotty Miller (toe) still sidelined, logging a total of 15 snaps between offense and special teams. The rookie has been serviceable on returns thus far with 230 total yards in that capacity; consequently, he could continue finding himself on the active roster even when Brown and Miller are available, the latter notably having been activated from injured reserve Tuesday.

NOVEMBER 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE