KE'SHAWN VAUGHN NEWS

Impresses in Thursday's practice Vaughn ripped off a long run up the right sideline in Thursday's joint practice with the Dolphins, Andrew Crane of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact The third-year back was part of a successful session for the Buccaneers' ground game against the Dolphins defense, with Vaughn's run described by Crane as a would-be touchdown had it happened in a game setting. Vaughn picked up some valuable experience late last season, including in the wild-card loss to the Eagles, but rookie Rachaad White has also impressed during camp as the two battle to serve as the primary complement to lead back Leonard Fournette.

AUGUST 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Uptick in opportunity Vaughn currently slots in as the Buccaneers' No. 2 running back with the recent departure of Ronald Jones in free agency, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Impact Vaughn saw a slight uptick in involvement over that of his rookie 2020 campaign last season, rushing for 180 yards and two touchdowns on 36 carries and adding four receptions for 26 yards. The Vanderbilt product then played a sizable role in the wild-card win over the Eagles, carrying 17 times for 53 yards and a touchdown while also recording a pair of receptions. Looking ahead to 2022, it appears we're on the verge of finding out if Vaughn's two-season, low-volume apprenticeship has laid the proper groundwork for what should be a clear-cut No. 2 role behind Leonard Fournette, barring an unforeseen draft pick or free-agent signing disrupting that plan.

MARCH 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Season ends quietly Vaughn logged only two special-teams snaps during the Buccaneers' 30-27 divisional-round loss to the Rams on Sunday. He finished the 2021 regular season with 36 carries for 180 yar...

Impact The second-year back finished up his season the same way he began it back in September, as a complete non-factor on offense. Vaughn didn't see his first carries until Week 7 against the Bears, and he only logged another three between that game and Week 15, when multiple injuries struck the Buccaneers backfield. He performed well from that point forward, averaging 5.3 yards per rush on his 28 carries over the final four games of the regular season while adding a pair of rushing touchdowns and his four catches. The Vanderbilt product then played a significant role in the wild-card win over the Eagles, pacing the backfield with 17 carries and also recording a pair of grabs with Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette both unavailable. Neither of his backfield mates is guaranteed to be back in 2022, meaning that Vaughn's late-season taste of extended action could prove to have been an on-field audition for a much larger role next season.

JANUARY 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Added competition for carries Vaughn's teammate, Leonard Fournette (hamstring), has been activated off IR by the Buccaneers, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Impact The looming return of Fournette for his first game action since Week 15 bolsters Tampa Bay's backfield ahead of Sunday's divisional-round game against the Rams, with Ronald Jones (ankle) still out. In the team's wild-card win over the Eagles last weekend, Vaughn led the way with 17 carries, adding a pair of catches, while Giovani Bernard logged 13 rushes and five catches. As long as Fournette avoids any setbacks with his hamstring issue, however, both Vaughn and Bernard figure to see decreased volume versus Los Angeles, making them speculative fantasy lineup options.

JANUARY 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Chiefs, Bucs, 49ers flex their muscles on wild-card Sunday

The Buccaneers, 49ers and Chiefs made big statements in their victories Sunday. Bucky Brooks offers his wild-card takeaways.

JANUARY 17, 2022

Serves as lead back Sunday Vaughn rushed 17 times for 53 yards and a touchdown and brought in both his targets for nine yards during the Buccaneers' 31-15 win over the Eagles in an NFC wild-card matchup Sund...

Impact After logging all of five carries during last year's Super Bowl title run, Vaughn took on lead-back duties Sunday with Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and Ronald Jones (ankle) both out of action. The second-year back performed well with the extra workload and paid off for those rolling with him in fantasy playoff leagues and contests with a one-yard touchdown run just before the end of the first quarter. Vaughn has proven capable of handling a robust workload over the last several games due to the depleted state of the Buccaneers' backfield, but he could see a reduction in volume as soon as next weekend's divisional round if at least one of Fournette or Jones is back in action.

JANUARY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Set for bigger role Sunday Vaughn may share running back reps with Giovani Bernard (hip/knee) during Sunday's wild-card contest against the Eagles after the Buccaneers activated the latter from injured reser...

Impact Tampa Bay already ruled out Ronald Jones (ankle) for its postseason opener, and the team opted not to activate Leonard Fournette (hamstring) from IR on Saturday, meaning its top two options out of the backfield are unavailable. With Bernard back in the fold, he'll serve in at least a change-of-pace role, but Vaughn could be the preferred option on early downs, while Le'Veon Bell also is on hand. In 12 appearances this season, Vaughn racked up 36 carries for 180 yards and two touchdowns and also gathered in four of eight targets for 26 yards.

JANUARY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Inefficient with extra opportunity Vaughn rushed 10 times for 29 yards and a touchdown and brought in both targets for 12 yards in the Buccaneers' 41-17 win over the Panthers on Sunday.

Impact Vaughn took on lead-back duties with Ronald Jones (ankle) sidelined and logged double-digit carries, but he wasn't able to do much on a yards-per-carry basis. However, his two-yard scoring run early in the third quarter salvaged his day somewhat from a fantasy perspective, and he finished the season with two scores over the last three games. The health of both Jones and Leonard Fournette (IR-hamstring) will certainly be the subject of plenty of scrutiny this coming week leading up to Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Eagles, and if at least one of the two remains on the shelf, Vaughn would presumably be in line for at least a complementary role in the contest.

JANUARY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

More snaps on tap for Week 18 Vaughn and Le'Veon Bell will be the Buccaneers' main running backs Sunday against the Panthers with Ronald Jones (ankle) ruled out and Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and Giovani Ber...

Impact After Fournette hit IR following a Week 15 loss to the Saints due to a hamstring strain, Jones stepped in as the No. 1 RB the past two contests, but he sustained an ankle injury this past Sunday at the Jets. As a result, Vaughn has earned the bulk of his touches on the season over the last three games, racking up 18 carries for 120 yards, two catches (on six targets) for 14 yards and one rushing TD. Bell also mixed in Weeks 16 and 17, with eight touches for 34 yards from scrimmage. The likely outcome is Vaughn serving as the early down option for the Bucs, with Bell and potentially practice squad member Kenjon Barner serving as complementary pieces.

JANUARY 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Logs full practice Wednesday Vaughn (ribs) practiced fully Wednesday.

Impact At the same time Bruce Arians called Vaughn "fine" earlier Wednesday, the coach mentioned the Bucs' current No. 1 running back Ronald Jones was donning a walking boot and wouldn't practice, per Scott Smith of the team's official site. Tampa Bay will wait until Thursday or Friday to see if Jones can run on his injured ankle, at which point a decision may be made on his availability for Week 18. With Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and Giovani Bernard (hip) still on injured reserve, Vaughn and Le'Veon Bell are the only healthy running backs on the active roster at the moment. Vaughn has received more run than normal over the last three contests due to all the injuries in the backfield, averaging 6.7 yards on his 18 carries, reeling in two of six passes for 14 yards and scoring one touchdown.

JANUARY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Practicing Wednesday Vaughn (ribs) was spotted participating in the early portion of Wednesday's practice, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Impact Vaughn suffered a rib injury during Sunday's win over the Jets, so it's encouraging to see him handling reps to begin Week 18 prep. Later Wednesday, the Buccaneers will release their first official Week 18 injury report, which will reveal whether he was a limited or a full participant. Meanwhile, Ronald Jones (ankle) wasn't present for the early portion of practice.

JANUARY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with bruised ribs Coach Bruce Arians said Monday that Vaughn is dealing with bruised ribs following Sunday's win over the Jets, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Vaughn finished Sunday's contest with eight rushes for 31 yards while hauling in two of three targets for 14 yards. Arians said that the 24-year-old "might" be able to play in Sunday's Week 18 tilt against the Panthers, and he could see increased playing time if Ronald Jones (ankle) is unavailable.

JANUARY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Solid role in win Vaughn rushed eight times for 31 yards and brought in two of three targets for 14 yards in the Buccaneers' 28-24 win over the Jets on Sunday.

Impact Vaughn checked in second to Ronald Jones in carries, with the latter exiting the game early due to an ankle issue. The second-year back now has 15 carries over the last two games, and even though Scott Smith of the team's official site reports Vaughn suffered a rib injury himself during the contest, he's likely to see another solid workload if he suits up Week 18 against the Panthers if the Buccaneers opt to play it safe with Jones ahead of the postseason.

JANUARY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Bucs' Ke'Shawn Vaughn is in it for the long run The second-year running back ripped off a 55-yard TD run at Carolina on Sunday, a play that may have finally jump-started his NFL career.

DECEMBER 28, 2021 • TAMPABAY.COM

Flashes with extended opportunity Vaughn rushed seven times for 70 yards and a touchdown and failed to bring in his only target during the Buccaneers' 32-6 win over the Panthers on Sunday.

Impact Operating as the primary backup to interim lead back Ronald Jones, Vaughn made good use of his opportunity with the help of a 55-yard touchdown up the left sideline in the first quarter, Tampa Bay's first score of the game. The second-year back had just 11 carries on the campaign coming into the contest, but he should continue to serve in a solid complementary role in a Week 17 road matchup with the Jets.

DECEMBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Three carries in loss Vaughn rushed three times for 19 yards and failed to bring in either of his two targets in the Buccaneers' 9-0 loss to the Saints on Sunday night.

Impact Vaughn, who was primarily active Sunday night due to Giovani Bernard's (hip/knee) placement on injured reserve earlier in the week, was called into action when Leonard Fournette exited early with a hamstring injury. While Vaughn's role was still modest (19 snaps), that may not be the case in coming weeks, considering Fournette could miss at least the Week 16 contest versus the Panthers, at minimum. In such a scenario, Ronald Jones still projects to helm the Bucs backfield, but Vaughn could be a key complementary option.

DECEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

No snaps in Week 13 win Vaughn did not log any snaps during the Buccaneers' 30-17 win over the Falcons on Sunday.

Impact Vaughn avoided healthy scratch status after receiving that designation in Week 12, but he still went unused in the contest. The second-year back only sees occasional action and continues to be a non-factor on offense with the top running back trio of Leonard Fournette, Ronald Jones (illness) and Giovani Bernard generally healthy in front of him.

DECEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Healthy scratch in Week 12 Vaughn (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game at Indianapolis, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Vaughn has avoided injuries to this point in the season, but he's been a healthy scratch for the Bucs five times through 11 games. And in the six outings in which he's been available, he's been limited to 17 offensive snaps, 91 plays on special teams, eight carries for 31 yards and one kick return for 15 yards. With Vaughn on the sideline, Leonard Fournette will continue to operate as the team's lead runner, while Ronald Jones and Giovani Bernard will mix in in their respective roles.

NOVEMBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sees rare action in win Vaughn rushed three times for four yards and ran back one kickoff for 15 yards in the Buccaneers' 30-10 win over the Giants on Monday night.

Impact Vaughn garnered active status for only the sixth time this season and saw his first carries since Week 7. The second-year back also got his first chance to contribute on returns and logged a total of 22 plays (nine on offense, 13 on special teams), his second-highest workload of the season. Despite his participation Monday night, Vaughn could well toggle between inactive and active status the rest of the season as long as the Buccaneers' primary backfield options are healthy.

NOVEMBER 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Healthy scratch Sunday Vaughn (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Saints, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The Buccaneers have their full stable of backs for this one, and Vaughn is the odd man out. Apparently, they are set on special teams as well.

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sees first carries of season Vaughn rushed five times for 27 yards in the Buccaneers' 38-3 win over the Bears in Week 7.

Impact Vaughn logged just eight snaps from scrimmage, but he was busy with them. The five carries were the first of the season for Vaughn, who's been active for four games overall but had only seen action on special teams until Sunday. As long as the top backfield trio of Ronald Jones, Leonard Fournette and Giovani Bernard is healthy, Vaughn appears destined for the most minimal of roles on offense.

OCTOBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to be active Vaughn is expected to be active for the Buccaneers' Week 4 matchup with the Patriots, Scott Smith of the team's official website reports.

Impact With Giovani Bernard (knee) sidelined, Vaughn is expected to back up Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones as the Bucs' No. 3 running back. He saw his first time on the field in Week 3 but only on special teams. Bernard primarily saw action as the team's third-down back, so it remains to be seen if Vaughn will see any snaps in those situations.

OCTOBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Remains inactive Week 2 Vaughn (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Week 2 tilt against the Falcons.

Impact The second-year back will be in street clothes for the second straight game to open the season. The trio of Leonard Fournette, Ronald Jones and Giovani Bernard will once again be entrusted to handle the Buccaneers' backfield duties.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out Thursday Vaughn (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's game against the Cowboys.

Impact Vaughn may be poised for another sparse campaign of appearances and touches after seeing time in 11 games and receiving 36 touches (including playoffs) as a rookie third-rounder last season. With Vaughn on the sideline, Leonard Fournette, Ronald Jones and Giovani Bernard will be the Bucs' trio of running backs Week 1.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Another heavy workload Vaughn rushed 15 times for 29 yards, failed to bring in his only target and returned one kickoff for 17 yards in the Buccaneers' 23-16 preseason win over the Texans on Saturday nig...

Impact Vaugh once again paced the Buccaneers in carries, and despite the fact he averaged well under 3.0 yards per attempt for the third time in as many exhibitions, he doesn't appear to be in any danger of missing out on a roster spot. Greg Auman of The Athletic believes as much, considering he includes Vaughn in his 53-man roster projection as the fourth running back and a special-teams asset. However, Auman notes that Vaughn's fumble, which came on his one touch as a kickoff returner, doesn't help his chances of securing that role.

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE