Kenjon Barner

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Running Back #34
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Running Back #34

Kenjon Barner News

Works out with Giants

Barner (undisclosed) had a workout with the Giants on Tuesday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Analysis: Barner was waived off Tampa Bay's IR on Oct. 11. His presence at Tuesday's workout indicates he has moved on from the undisclosed injury he was dealing with. The 33-year-old suited up for three games with the Bucs and saw four carries for zero yards.

Dec 13, 2022 3:47 PM EST


Released from IR

Tampa Bay released Barner (undisclosed) from IR, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Analysis: Barner suffered a severe undisclosed injury during the preseason opener which appears to have ended his 2022 campaign. The veteran running back spent the past two seasons with Tampa Bay, during which he had a mere four rushes for zero yards and returned six punts for 47 yards.

Oct 11, 2022 4:05 PM EST



Lands on IR

The Buccaneers placed Barner (undisclosed) on injured reserve Monday, independent NFL reporter Dov Kleiman reports.

Analysis: 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.

Aug 15, 2022 11:23 AM EST


Staying with Tampa Bay

Barner signed a reserve/future contract with the Buccaneers on Monday, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

Analysis: 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.

Jan 24, 2022 1:52 PM EST


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.

Analysis: 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.

Jan 19, 2022 3:23 PM EST



Lands back on practice squad

Barner reverted to the Buccaneers' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Analysis: 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.

Jan 17, 2022 6:56 PM EST


Not suiting up Sunday

Barner (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's wild-card game against the Eagles.

Analysis: 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.

Jan 16, 2022 8:43 AM EST


Joins active roster

The Buccaneers elevated Barner from their practice squad Saturday, Carmen Vitali of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Analysis: 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.

Jan 15, 2022 1:34 PM EST


Rejoins practice squad

Barner reverted to Tampa Bay's practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Analysis: 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.

Jan 10, 2022 9:15 PM EST


Elevated again in Week 18

Barner was elevated to the Buccaneers' active roster Saturday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Analysis: 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.

Jan 8, 2022 1:17 PM EST


Elevated to active roster again

Barner was elevated to the Buccaneers' active roster Saturday, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: 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.

Jan 2, 2022 8:13 AM EST


Returns to practice squad

Barner reverted to the Buccaneers' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction report.

Analysis: 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.

Dec 28, 2021 2:01 PM EST


Up to active roster

The Buccaneers elevated Barner from the practice squad Saturday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: 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.

Dec 25, 2021 6:58 PM EST


Reverts to practice squad

Barner has reverted to the Buccaneers' practice squad, per the NFL's official transactions report.

Analysis: Barner was inactive Week 15, despite having been elevated to the active roster. He hasn't appeared in a single game this season, but logged six games with the Buccaneers in 2020 as a special-teams contributor.

Dec 21, 2021 5:27 AM EST


Bumps up to active roster

Barner was moved up to the Buccaneers' active roster Saturday.

Analysis: 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.

Dec 18, 2021 2:37 PM EST


Signed to Bucs' practice squad

Barner was signed to the Buccaneers' practice squad Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: 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 is yet to be seen if he'll crack the active roster.

Dec 14, 2021 3:31 PM EST


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.

Analysis: 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. Still currently a free agent after having ended last season on IR due to a groin injury, Barner's best chance of signing anywhere when healthy will be as an option in the return game.

Mar 29, 2021 11:50 AM EST


Minimal action on offense in '20

Barner (groin) returned seven kickoffs for 167 yards and ran back 13 punts for 75 yards during the 2020 regular season across six games. He logged just six snaps from scrimmage, failing to bring in his only target.

Analysis: 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.

Feb 11, 2021 2:40 PM EST


Practice window opens

Barner (groin) has been designated to return from injured reserve this week, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: Barner will now have a 21-day window from 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 in 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.

Jan 19, 2021 7:32 PM EST


Heads to IR

Barner (groin) was placed on IR on Wednesday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Analysis: 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.

Dec 30, 2020 11:25 AM EST


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