KE'SHAWN VAUGHN NEWS

Inefficient in second exhibition Vaughn rushed nine times for 18 yards, secured his only target for nine yards and ran back two kickoffs for 31 yards in the Buccaneers' 34-3 preseason loss to the Titans on Saturda...

Impact With Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette idle, Vaughn comfortably paced the Buccaneers in carries but could hardly get anything done with them. He did capitalize on his only opportunity as a receiver, but his 15.5 yards per return average on kickoffs also left plenty to be desired. Vaughn received praise from head coach Bruce Arians after the preseason opener against the Bengals for his overall play, particularly on special teams, but the second-year back still looks like a clear-cut No. 4 option who will struggle to see many opportunities from scrimmage as long as all of Jones, Fournette and Giovani Bernard are healthy.

AUGUST 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Finds end zone in preseason opener Vaughn rushed 11 times for 27 yards and a touchdown and secured two of three targets for 10 yards in the Buccaneers' 19-14 preseason loss to the Bengals on Saturday night. He also...

Impact The second-year back ended up pacing the team in carries on a night when no other back logged more than two attempts. Vaughn opened the scoring on the night with his two-yard scoring run late in the first quarter, capping off a drive in which he gained 22 yards on five touches. Scott Smith of the team's official site reports that despite the lack of efficiency on the stat sheet, Vaughn made quite the positive all-around impression in his first chance to make a case for a bigger role this season. "Ke'Shawn I thought played lights-out," said head coach Bruce Arians. "He made a hell of a play as a gunner. He ran the ball well, blocked well. I thought he made a really nice step, especially his special teams snaps. We know he can run, we know he can catch, but those plays on special teams were big for him."

AUGUST 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Making improvements Vaughn said Friday that he's feeling more confident heading into Year 2, especially with regard to his role on special teams, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Coach Bruce Arians highlighted special teams as a necessary area of improvement for Vaughn back in June minicamp, and the second-year running back appears to have taken those words to heart. As Greg Auman of The Athletic reports, Vaughn has also prioritized improving his consistency as a pass catcher. The 24-year-old won't have an easy path to offensive snaps in the upcoming campaign, with veteran Giovani Bernard now also in the mix behind Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones, but a strong preseason could at least help him be more involved than he was as a rookie (31 touches in 10 appearances).

AUGUST 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Needs to step up on special teams Vaughn has impressed coach Bruce Arians during his time in Tampa, but the second-year running back's chances of seeing increased playing time in 2021 may hinge on his improvement o...

Impact "What's in front of him," as Arians puts it, are Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette. Meanwhile, veteran Giovani Bernard was added this offseason, and all those factors leave Vaughn's prospects for playing time murky at best. The Vanderbilt product logged just 31 touches (26 rushes, five catches) during his rookie campaign, recording a touchdown through the air and averaging 4.2 yards per carry. Vaughn played just 37 special-teams snaps and was a healthy scratch for six regular-season games and the final three postseason contests, but it appears he could have a chance to increase his overall profile in the offense with a strong training camp and preseason in all phases.

JUNE 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not forgotten about Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians said Tuesday that he expects Vaughn to have a "breakout year" in 2021, Taylor Jenkins of PewterReport.com reports.

Impact Arians wouldn't rule out drafting a running back in April, but he suggested he has confidence in all of Vaughn, Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones. While Fournette's performance in the playoffs makes him a clear favorite for the lead role heading into Week 1, the Bucs could make more of an effort to involve Vaughn in their offense in his second season. The 2020 third-round pick barely played as a rookie, taking 31 touches for 143 yards and a touchdown in 10 games.

MARCH 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Limited action in rookie season Vaughn, who was a healthy scratch for Sunday's Super Bowl LV win over the Chiefs, finished his rookie season with 26 carries for 109 yards and five receptions (10 targets) for 34 y...

Impact The rookie approached his first pro training camp with hopes of pushing Ronald Jones for playing time, but the subsequent signings of LeSean McCoy and Leonard Fournette largely derailed those plans. Vaughn ultimately logged 99 snaps from scrimmage and an additional 37 on special teams, so he did have a chance to get some valuable reps under his belt despite the crowded running back room. With McCoy unlikely to return in 2021 and Fournette likely having earned himself a fairly robust payday on the open market with his strong four-game postseason run, Vaughn may have an exponentially busier sophomore campaign while competing alongside Jones.

FEBRUARY 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out Super Bowl Vaughn (coach's decision) is listed as inactive for Sunday's Super Bowl LV versus the Chiefs, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact With Vaughn sidelined, the Buccaneers instead will roll with Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones at running back, while LeSean McCoy is available in case he's needed out of the backfield.

FEBRUARY 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Healthy scratch Sunday Vaughn (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's divisional-round contest at New Orleans.

Impact In the Buccaneers' wild-card win at Washington, Vaughn received double-digit offensive snaps (12) for the sixth time in 11 appearances this season, which translated to five carries for 21 yards. The elevated snap count coincided with an active Ronald Jones not taking the field due to a quad injury suffered during pregame warmups. With Jones back in the lineup this weekend, Vaughn will be a healthy scratch while Leonard Fournette and LeSean McCoy join Jones as the Tampa Bay's available running backs.

JANUARY 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sees action as complementary back Vaugh rushed five times for 21 yards and failed to bring in his only target during the Buccaneers' 31-23 wild-card win over Washington on Saturday night. He also lost a fumble.

Impact The rookie got more action than he bargained for as Leonard Fournette's backup once Ronald Jones hurt his quadriceps in pregame warmups. Vaughn's third-quarter fumble proved costly, as it came on Washington's 38-yard line and led to a touchdown that brought them within two of the Buccaneers. If Jones is forced to sit out another contest, Vaughn could be in for another run as the complementary back in next Sunday's divisional-round matchup against the Saints, though coach Bruce Arians could also opt for a veteran presence in LeSean McCoy, who missed Saturday's game with an illness.

JANUARY 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Succeeds with rare opportunity Vaughn rushed 15 times for 62 yards and secured one of two targets for seven yards in the Buccaneers' 47-7 win over the Lions on Saturday.

Impact The rookie turned a career-high number of carries into a new personal best in rushing yardage, with the combination of the absence of Ronald Jones (finger/reserve/COVID-19) and a blowout win affording him an unprecedented amount of opportunity. Vaughn often looked quick and decisive with the ball in his hand. although the caliber and motivation level of the competition does have to be taken into account. Nevertheless, with the Buccaneers now having sewn up a playoff spot, Vaughn could be in for another solid workload in a Week 17 finale versus the Falcons.

DECEMBER 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Modest opportunity in win Vaughn rushed twice for four yards, failed to bring in his only target, and recovered a Chris Godwin fumble in the Buccaneers' 31-27 win over the Falcons on Sunday.

Impact The rookie was slated to spell lead back Leonard Fournette on occasion in Sunday's contest with Ronald Jones out of action due to a finger injury and his reserve/COVID-19 designation. However, with the Buccaneers down 17-0 at halftime, game script turned away from the ground attack for the most part, leaving Vaughn with scant opportunity. Vaughn could be back to an even smaller role or inactive status for a Saturday afternoon matchup against the Lions if Jones is able to return for that contest.

DECEMBER 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Expanded role likely Sunday Vaughn is likely to see an increased role to some degree behind expected starter Leonard Fournette in Sunday's game against the Falcons with Ronald Jones (finger/reserve/COVID-19)...

Impact Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports coach Bruce Arians had kind words for the rookie this week, noting he's "come on like gangbusters." However, Fournette and veteran LeSean McCoy certainly have the experience edge on Vaughn, who's logged just nine carries all season and played only four snaps in Week 14 despite garnering active status for the first time in five contests. Along with handling some special-teams duties, Vaughn will most likely spell Fournette occasionally on early downs against Atlanta, considering Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reported earlier in the week McCoy would serve as the third-down back if Jones were unable to suit up.

DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

One carry despite active status Vaugh rushed once for minus-3 yards in the Buccaneers' 26-14 win over the Vikings on Sunday.

Impact In uniform for the first time since Week 8, Vaughn logged just four snaps from scrimmage and matched that number on special teams. As his final line indicates, he was sparingly utilized, despite Leonard Fournette serving as a healthy scratch. Reports Monday indicate Ronald Jones may have suffered a fractured pinkie finger in Sunday's win, but there's a possibility the third-year back's injury doesn't cause him to miss any time and therefore has no tangible benefit for Vaughn.

DECEMBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

First appearance since Week 8 Vaughn is listed as active Sunday against the Vikings, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Available for the first time since Week 8, Vaughn will join LeSean McCoy and Kenjon Barner as reserve running backs after the team decided to make Leonard Fournette a healthy scratch. While Vaughn has averaged 5.8 YPC on eight rushes and hauled in four of seven targets so far as a pro, the rookie third-round pick likely won't do much more than spell starter Ronald Jones on occasion.

DECEMBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Inactive Week 12 Vaughn (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Week 12 contest against the Chiefs, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Impact The rookie running back continues to lose out on active status to veteran LeSean McCoy, even though the latter is not seeing any work behind Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette. Vaughn's next opportunity for game action will come in Week 14 against the Vikings following the Buccaneers' Week 13 bye.

NOVEMBER 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out MNF Vaughn (coach's decision) is inactive for Monday's game versus the Rams.

Impact Vaughn will serve as a healthy scratch for a third straight game. He hasn't recorded a snap on offense since rushing five times for 42 yards in Week 6 against the Packers. The Buccaneers elevated Kenjon Barner from the practice squad to add depth behind Ronald Jones, Leonard Fournette and LeSean McCoy.

NOVEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Inactive for second straight week Vaughn (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Impact With the three veteran running backs ahead of Vaughn on the depth chart (Ronald Jones, Leonard Fournette and LeSean McCoy) all healthy again, the Buccaneers won't have room for the rookie in their weekly game plans. Inactive for a second straight game, Vaughn will need an injury to one of the aforementioned three backs before he recaptures even a small role on offense.

NOVEMBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Not playing Sunday Vaughn (coach's decision) is listed as inactive Sunday against the Saints.

Impact Vaughn hasn't got much run this season, with veteran presences like Ronald Jones, Leonard Fournette and LeSean McCoy ahead of him on the depth chart. In fact, Vaughn has played exclusively special teams the past two games. With Vaughn in street clothes Sunday, the Buccaneers will roll with the aforementioned trio out of their backfield.

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

No offensive work on MNF Vaughn garnered three special-teams snaps but no offensive snaps during Monday's 25-23 win against the Giants.

Impact The third-round rookie collected 12 combined touches between Weeks 4 and 6, notching eight rush attempts for 46 yards along with four receptions for 27 yards and a touchdown. With Leonard Fournette back to full strength the past two weeks, however, Vaughn has seen his offensive role evaporate. It's not a favorable Week 9 matchup for Tampa Bay backs going up against New Orleans' No. 3 rush defense, but it is expected to be Ronald Jones and Fournette who command virtually all of the RB workload in a crucial NFC South bout.

NOVEMBER 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

No offensive work against Raiders Vaughn did not play a single offensive snap during Sunday's 45-20 win against Las Vegas.

Impact With Leonard Fournette fielding 11 carries behind Ronald Jones' team high of 13, the rookie back was afforded no offensive opportunities during Week 7. Vaughn racked up 42 rushing yards on five carries against Green Bay during a Week 6 rout, but with both veteran backs healthy against Las Vegas, the Vanderbilt product was limited to special-teams usage only. Unless Tampa Bay's Week 8 road trip to face the Giants becomes a one-sided affair, Vaughn will likely be relegated to an obsolete role in the offense.

OCTOBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Efficient in limited action Vaugh rushed five times for 42 yards and failed to bring in his only target in the Buccaneers' 38-10 win over the Packers on Sunday.

Impact With the contest well in hand by the latter part of the fourth quarter, coach Bruce Arians went heavy on reserves and gave Vaughn some run to finish off the rout. The rookie impressed with a 19-yard scamper and was efficient by gaining 23 yards on his four other carries as well. Vaughn's usage is sporadic, as he logged the first three carries of his career two games ago, failed to log any rush attempts but saw three targets in Week 5, and then bounced back with his highest number of rushing touches yet Sunday. The encouraging performance in the waning minutes against the Packers aside, fantasy managers should be mindful that a Leonard Fournette (ankle) return in a Week 7 road battle versus the Raiders would likely send Vaughn back to a minuscule role.

OCTOBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Avoids injury report Vaughn (chest) isn't listed on Wednesday's injury report.

Impact Vaughn was forced out of last Thursday's loss to the Bears due to a chest injury, but he already looks to be back to full health. However, both Leonard Fournette (ankle) and LeSean McCoy (ankle) resumed practicing in a limited capacity Wednesday, so Vaughn could end up back in a depth role Week 6 in spite of his full availability.

OCTOBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Disappointing night in Week 5 loss Vaughn (chest) finished Thursday night's 20-19 loss to the Bears with zero carries and two receptions (three targets) for five yards. He also lost a fumble.

Impact Vaughn exited the game after getting injured on a play in which he fumbled at his own 26-yard-line following a short catch with 1:37 remaining in the first half. The Bears went on to score on a 12-yard grab by Jimmy Graham with 36 seconds remaining, and Vaughn did return in the second half but didn't see the field much. The rookie should have his status updated in coming days, with the Buccaneers having some extra time before a Week 6 matchup against the Packers on Sunday, Oct. 18.

OCTOBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable to return Vaughn is questionable to return to Thursday's game against the Bears as he deals with a chest injury.

Impact Vaughn went back to the locker room just ahead of halftime to get checked out. Should he not be able to return, look for Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette to handle the workload as the only two remaining backs on the active roster.

OCTOBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to locker room early Vaughn was forced out of Thursday's game against the Bears late in the second quarter, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Vaughn went to the locker room after receiving a hit by Kyle Fuller just before halftime, so the Buccaneers will have ample time to evaluate him before the third quarter begins. Aside from Vaughn, the only depth option active for Tampa Bay behind top running back Ronald Jones is Leonard Fournette, who is only present as an emergency option.

OCTOBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE