AUGUST 15, 2022 • USATODAY.COM
KENJON BARNER
Bucs place RB Kenjon Barner on injured reserve The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have placed running back Kenjon Barner on injured reserve, ending his 2022 season
Lands on IR The Buccaneers placed Barner (undisclosed) on injured reserve Monday, independent NFL reporter Dov Kleiman reports.
Impact Barner played 23 snaps during the preseason opener, totaling nine touches for 31 yards. However, he appears to have picked up a serious injury, which -- barring an injury settlement -- will end his 2022 campaign before it begins. In a corresponding move, Tampa Bay signed Patrick Laird.
AUGUST 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Staying with Tampa Bay Barner signed a reserve/future contract with the Buccaneers on Monday, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.
Impact Barner joined Tampa Bay's practice squad in mid-December and was elevated to the active roster for the final three games of the regular season. He had four carries for zero yards and also returned six punts for 47 yards. His likeliest path to a roster spot in 2022 will be as a return man, assuming he's able to stick around with the Bucs through the offseason.
JANUARY 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Limited action in '21 Barner netted no gain on four carries and returned six punts for 47 yards across three games during the 2021 season.
Impact The veteran back has shuttled back and forth between the practice squad and active roster, most recently garnering active status for the wild-card win over the Eagles on Sunday but not recording any stats. Barner is essentially emergency depth for the Buccaneers, and as was evident Sunday, even injuries to the backfield's top two options far from guarantee he can see any action from scrimmage. Additionally, as long as Jaelon Darden is healthy, the speedy rookie appears to have the full-time return job secured, which cuts off Barner's primary route to even getting on the field.
JANUARY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Lands back on practice squad Barner reverted to the Buccaneers' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Impact With both Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and Ronald Jones (ankle) both out for Sunday's wild-card round win over Philadelphia, Barner was elevated to provide depth in the backfield. Even in the blowout win, Barner did not record any stats.
JANUARY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Sweat inactive for Eagles after having 'emergency procedure'
Philadelphia defensive end Josh Sweat is inactive for Sunday’s NFC wild-card game after being admitted to the hospital earlier in the week for what the team described as a “life-th...JANUARY 16, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Not suiting up Sunday Barner (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's wild-card game against the Eagles.
Impact Tampa Bay bumped Barner up from the practice squad after Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and Ronald Jones (ankle) were ruled out for the postseason opener, but the Buccaneers ultimately won't need the the 32-year-old to serve as a third option out of the backfield. Giovani Bernard (hip/knee), who was listed as questionable heading into the day, has been cleared to play for the first time since Week 14, and he'll serve as a change-of-pace option behind Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Le'Veon Bell.
JANUARY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Joins active roster The Buccaneers elevated Barner from their practice squad Saturday, Carmen Vitali of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Impact Barner earned four carries as part of the active roster in Week 18 but recorded zero yards. He'll serve as depth in the backfield for Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Eagles since Ronald Jones (ankle) and Leonard Fournette (hamstring) will be unavailable.
JANUARY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Bucs Protect Kenjon Barner, Darren Fells for Wild Card Week The Buccaneers used all four of their allotted practice squad protection spots for the opening of the playoffs, giving that designation to R...
JANUARY 11, 2022 • BUCCANEERS.COM
Rejoins practice squad Barner reverted to Tampa Bay's practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
Impact Barner earned his first four carries of the season in Week 18 against the Panthers, but he finished the day with zero rushing yards. He appeared in three games for the Buccaneers in 2021 and figures to serve as depth at the tailback position heading into the playoffs.
JANUARY 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Elevated again in Week 18 Barner was elevated to the Buccaneers' active roster Saturday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Impact The running back was with the active roster each of the last two weeks, operating exclusively as a special-teams option while registering 47 punt return yards. With Ronald Jones (ankle) out Sunday against the Panthers, Barner may get his first look as a backfield option while the Buccaneers wrap up the regular season and gear up for a playoff run.
JANUARY 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Elevated to active roster again Barner was elevated to the Buccaneers' active roster Saturday, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.
Impact With Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and Giovani Bernard (hip) both on injured reserve, Barner will be elevated for a second straight game. Last week, the 32-year-old played eight special teams snaps and returned five punts for 44 yards. He will likely garner a similar role against the Jets in Week 17.
JANUARY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Returns to practice squad Barner reverted to the Buccaneers' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction report.
Impact Barner played eight special teams snaps and returned five punts for 44 yards. With Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and Giovani Bernard (hip) both on injured reserve, the 32-year-old running back will likely get another elevation in Week 17.
DECEMBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Cyril Grayson, Kenjon Barner Protected Again WR Cyril Grayson, RB Kenjon Barner and P Sterling Hofrichter, all of whom made big contributions to the Week 16 win at Carolina, are on the...
DECEMBER 28, 2021 • BUCCANEERS.COM
Up to active roster The Buccaneers elevated Barner from the practice squad Saturday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
Impact Tampa Bay currently is short-handed in the backfield, with Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and Giovani Bernard (hip) on injured reserve. Ronald Jones is expected to take on the bulk of the touches afforded the team's running backs, and Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Le'Veon Bell likely are the reserve options that'll see snaps when Jones comes off the field. As a result, Barner is poised for special-teams work Sunday at Carolina, if he's active.
DECEMBER 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Reverts to practice squad Barner has reverted to the Buccaneers' practice squad, per the NFL's official transactions report.
Impact Barner was inactive Week 15, despite having been elevated to the active roster. He hasn't appeared in a single game this season he but logged six appearances with the Buccaneers in 2020 as a special-teams contributor.
DECEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Bumps up to active roster Barner was moved up to the Buccaneers' active roster Saturday.
Impact Barner joined the Buccaneers' practice squad earlier this week and immediately finds himself on the active roster, likely as depth replacement with Giovani Bernard (hip/knee) on injured reserve. The scatback last played in 2020, but was almost exclusively used on special teams.
DECEMBER 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Signed to Bucs' practice squad Barner was signed to the Buccaneers' practice squad Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Impact The running back was signed Tuesday after Giovani Bernard (hip/knee) was placed on injured reserve. Barner will provide the team with additional depth at the position behind the likes of Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones, though it's yet to be seen if he'll crack the active roster.
DECEMBER 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Could get another chance with Bucs? Barner (groin) is a candidate to return to Tampa Bay on a league-minimum deal, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.
Impact 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.
MARCH 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Minimal action on offense in '20 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, fa...
Impact 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.
FEBRUARY 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Practice window opens Barner (groin) has been designated to return from injured reserve this week, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
Impact 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.
JANUARY 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Heads to IR Barner (groin) was placed on IR on Wednesday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Impact 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.
DECEMBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Busy day on returns 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.
Impact 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.
DECEMBER 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Tallies 99 return yards in win 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.
Impact 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.
DECEMBER 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Promoted from practice squad Barner signed to Tampa Bay's active roster from the practice squad Monday.
Impact 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.
DECEMBER 7, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
