Bernard announced his retirement Friday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
The 2013 second-round pick spent his first eight seasons with the Bengals, and while he never ran for more than 730 yards or five touchdowns in a season, he averaged 42.8 catches for 358.4 receiving yards and also earned a reputation as a good pass blocker. He spent his final two seasons in Tampa Bay, where he had trouble staying healthy and barely saw the field in 2022. The 31-year-old retires with 6,772 scrimmage yards and 36 career touchdowns.
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Buccaneers' Giovani Bernard: Sees first carries of season
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Bernard rushed seven times for 28 yards and brought in both targets for minus-1 yard in the Buccaneers' 30-17 loss to the Falcons on Sunday.
The veteran back saw his first touches from scrimmage all season Sunday as head coach Todd Bowles emptied his bench in the second half of the meaningless regular-season finale. Bernard's Sunday cameo on offense is expected to be a one-and-done unless multiple injuries strike the Buccaneers' running back corps during the postseason, with his only opportunity to play likely to come on coverage and return units.
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Buccaneers' Giovani Bernard: Still limited to special teams
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Bernard did not log a snap from scrimmage during the Buccaneers' 30-24 win over the Panthers in Week 17.
The same has held true for all seven games Bernard has been active for this season, with all his action thus coming on special teams. However, there may be a possibility for the veteran running back to finally garner some offensive touches in the Week 18 finale versus the Falcons if head coach Todd Bowles opts to give his reserves more playing time as the game unfolds.
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Buccaneers' Giovani Bernard: No offensive snaps Monday night
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Bernard logged eight special-teams snaps but did not see action on offense during the Buccaneers' 17-16 win over the Saints on Monday night.
The veteran back garnered active status for the second time in as many games since coming off the injured list, but he failed to see any action on offense again. With both Leonard Fournette and Rachaad White above-average pass-catching backs, Bernard isn't a priority on offense for the time being.
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Buccaneers' Giovani Bernard: No action in Week 12 return
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Bernard (ankle) did not log any snaps during the Buccaneers' 23-17 overtime loss to the Browns on Sunday despite being active for the contest.
The veteran back was available following his Saturday activation from injured reserve, but even with Leonard Fournette (hip) inactive, Bernard did not see the field. It remains to be seen if Bernard sees some action in Week 13 against the Saints if Fournette remains unavailable, but if the latter is active, the veteran could find himself a healthy scratch.
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Buccaneers' Giovani Bernard: Activated off IR
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The Buccaneers activated Bernard (ankle) off injured reserve Saturday, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
With Leonard Fournette (hip) unavailable Sunday, it'll be interesting to monitor the usage of both Rachaad White and the veteran Bernard. While White has performed well as a receiver and pass protector this season, Bernard has historically been a standout in those areas as well. With that in mind, the Buccaneers could opt to use White primarily as a rusher, while Bernard takes the field primarily on the passing downs. The Buccaneers also have Ke'Shawn Vaughn on hand as another option in the backfield.
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Buccaneers' Giovani Bernard: Practice window opens
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The Buccaneers designated Bernard (ankle) for return from injured reserve Monday.
Bernard now has a 21-day window to be evaluated at practice without counting against the active roster, though Tampa Bay could fully activate him as early as Sunday's contest against the Browns. Once fully cleared for a return to the field, Bernard could mix in as a passing-down option behind Leonard Fournette and rookie Rachaad White.
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Buccaneers' Giovani Bernard: Ticketed for IR
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The Buccaneers will place Bernard (ankle) on injured reserve Wednesday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
The transaction ensures that Bernard will be sidelined for at least the Buccaneers' next four games after he sustained the ankle injury in Sunday's win over the Saints. After recording 23 receptions in 12 games in his first season with Tampa Bay while often serving as a sub off the bench on passing downs, Bernard had exclusively played on special teams through the Bucs' first two games of 2022. Bernard's upcoming absence could pave the way for Ke'Shawn Vaughn to dress as the team's third running back behind starter Leonard Fournette and top backup Rachaad White.
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Buccaneers' Giovani Bernard: Won't return versus Saints
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Bernard (ankle) was ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Saints.
Bernard will be sidelined for the fourth quarter of Tampa Bay's divisional matchup after suffering an unspecified ankle injury at some point Sunday. The veteran running back, who didn't log a carry or catch prior to his exit, will now look to get healthy in advance of the Buccaneers' Week 3 contest against the Packers.
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Buccaneers' Giovani Bernard: Set to play Sunday
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Bernard (ankle) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game at Dallas.
After opening Week 1 prep with back-to-back limited sessions, Bernard practiced in full Friday, indicating the Buccaneers may have been holding him back for maintenance reasons more than anything. In a backfield led by Leonard Fournette that also rosters rookie Rachaad White and Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Bernard may be hard-pressed to see much action Sunday, assuming he's active.
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Buccaneers' Giovani Bernard: Still nursing ankle issue
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Bernard (ankle) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice, Brianna Dix of the team's official site reports.
Bernard picked up the ankle injury during the Buccaneers' exhibition opener and sat out the remainder of the preseason. However, he still managed a spot on the team's initial 53-man roster as a depth running back and a backup return man. The extent of Bernard's ankle issue isn't clear, but the fact that it has lingered since early August isn't a good sign for his Week 1 availability.
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Buccaneers' Giovani Bernard: Sticks with Tampa Bay
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Bernard (ankle) was spotted participating during the Buccaneers' practice Thursday, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.
Bernard managed to secure a spot on Tampa Bay's initial 53-man roster after being sidelined with an ankle injury since Aug. 13. The 30-year-old's return to practice Thursday is an encouraging sign for his health heading into the team's Week 1 matchup against Dallas on Sept. 11. However, it's unclear how much of an impact he'll have this season with fellow running backs Leonard Fournette, Rachaad White and Ke'Shawn Vaughn still on the team's roster as well.
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Buccaneers' Giovani Bernard: Roster spot in danger?
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Bernard (ankle) is not on Greg Auman of the Athletic's final 53-man roster projection.
Auman cites Bernard's lingering ankle injury, which has kept him out of practice for two weeks after it occurred in the preseason opener against the Dolphins, and the fact the veteran is guaranteed $895,000 in 2022 salary if he's on the team Week 1 as primary reasons why he could be jettisoned. Auman actually projects the Buccaneers keeping just Leonard Fournette, Rachaad White and Ke'Shawn Vaughn at running back to open the season while also floating the possibility Bernard could be enticed to accept a practice-squad designation in order to remain with a championship-contending team.
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Buccaneers' Giovani Bernard: Sitting out preseason finale
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Bernard (ankle) is not expected to play in Saturday's preseason game at Indianapolis, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Bernard suffered an injury to his ankle two weeks ago and has not seen the field since, whether it be for practice or either of the Bucs' final two dress rehearsals. Tampa Bay might just be playing things safe with the 10-year veteran, but his situation is one to monitor ahead of Week 1. If he's healthy, he'll compete with Rachaad White for reps behind Leonard Fournette.
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Buccaneers' Giovani Bernard: Still out for practice
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Bernard (ankle) remained unavailable for practice Thursday, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.
Bernard seems very unlikely to be available for Saturday's preseason finale against the Colts, as he has yet to return to the practice field after tweaking his ankle Aug. 13. When healthy, the running back is expected to be a change-of-pace option behind Leonard Fournette in the Buccaneers' backfield this year.
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Buccaneers' Giovani Bernard: Still not practicing
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Bernard (knee) did not practice Monday, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.
Bernard picked up an ankle injury during Tampa Bay's preseason opener and hasn't seen the field since. The Buccaneers are likely just playing things safe though, as the 30-year-old back is entering his 10th season in the league and doesn't have much to prove at this point. Bernard will work to return as quickly as possible to nail down his spot on the 53-man roster, but in the meantime, Ke'Shawn Vaughn should see more practice and preseason reps.
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Buccaneers' Giovani Bernard: Ruled out
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Bernard (ankle) won't play in Saturday's preseason game against Tennessee, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The Bucs seem to be playing some starters, but between older guys resting and injuries, their on-field crew won't be all that impressive Saturday night. Bernard hurt his ankle in the preseason opener, perhaps damaging his bid to earn a role as the third-down back. Leonard Fournette has proven capable of playing passing downs, while rookie fourth-round pick Rachaad White had 456 receiving yards at ASU last year.
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Buccaneers' Giovani Bernard: Remains out for Monday's practice
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Bernard (ankle) didn't practice Monday, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.
Bernard left Saturday's preseason contest early with the ankle injury and remains sidelined at Monday's practice. Auman relays that the veteran running back didn't have a brace or cast on his ankle, suggesting the issue may be minor. Regardless, Bernard's status is definitely worth monitoring ahead of Saturday's preseason matchup with Tennessee.
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Buccaneers' Giovani Bernard: Picks up ankle injury
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Bernard won't return to Saturday's preseason game against the Dolphins due to an ankle injury, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
With Leonard Fournette a healthy scratch in Tampa Bay's exhibition opener, Bernard received all the RB touches on the team's first two possessions, finishing with seven carries for 19 yards and one catch for minus-four yards. Bernard's last touch came with 3:09 remaining in the first quarter, and the Bucs waited to rule him out until midway through the third quarter, so he was unlikely to log another snap anyway with second-year quarterback Kyle Trask directing the offense. The severity of Bernard's issue isn't known, but his health could be clarified by his on-field activity, if any, ahead of next Saturday's outing at Tennessee.
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Buccaneers' Giovani Bernard: Staying with Tampa
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Bernard is re-signing with the Buccaneers on a one-year contract, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
The 30-year-old RB reportedly fielded offers from multiple teams before deciding to stay in Tampa Bay, where he had eight carries and 23 catches in 12 games last season. Bernard should continue to have a role on third downs, though Leonard Fournette -- also re-signed this offseason -- has proven capable of handling much of the receiving workload out of the backfield. The Bucs did lose Ronald Jones to the Chiefs in March, but he and Bernard were never competing for the same snaps anyway.
