Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Kenjon Barner is making his third trip to a Super Bowl, but whether he’ll make an appearance in Sunday’s Super Bowl is still undetermined.
The running back and return specialist and former Oregon Ducks’ star could play when the Buccaneers take on Kansas City in Super Bowl 55 (3:30 p.m. PT/6:30 p.m. ET, CBS).
Barner has been practicing with the team this week after being activated from the injured reserve list on Jan. 20. The Buccaneers have the option to move Barner to the active roster in time for Super Bowl 55. Or not. Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians said the decision on whether Barner will be activated will come later in the week.
“It will be a late call to see if we activate him for the ballgame,” Arians said Thursday morning. “Kenyon is an excellent special teams player for us. If we can get him up, we’ll get him up.”
The Buccaneers, who currently have reserve wide receiver Jaydon Mickens as their return specialist, activated Barner from injured reserve and designated him eligible to return to practice on Jan. 20. The Buccaneers have 21 days from the activation date to move him to the active roster. Barner did not appear in the Buccaneers’ 31-26 win over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC championship game on Jan. 24.
Barner was a member of the Philadelphia Eagles team that defeated the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl 52. Barner returned three kickoffs for a total of 73 yards in the game. Barner was a member of the Patriots when they defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 in Super Bowl 53.
The Buccaneers originally signed Barner to their practice squad on Sept. 10, days after he was one of of the final roster cuts by the Baltimore Ravens. He was suspended four games by the NFL for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. Barner returned to the Buccaneers’ practice roster after his reinstatement.
Barner sustained a groin injury and was placed on injured reserve Dec. 30.
-- Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnold