Jaelon Darden - Page 4 - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Concussion confirmed Coach Bruce Arians said Monday that Darden has entered concussion protocol, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Darden racked up 66 kick-return yards before being knocked out of Sunday's 38-31 win over the Colts. If he is unable to clear concussion protocols before Week 13 at Atlanta, then Giovani Bernard is expected to handle kick-return duties, while Scotty Miller would likely handle punt returns.

NOVEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Evaluated for possible concussion Darden is being evaluated for a possible concussion and is questionable to return Sunday against the Colts, Carmen Vitali of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Darden has left his mark as a return specialist, racking up 66 yards on three kick returns and just three yards following two punt returns.

NOVEMBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Downturn in production Darden brought in in his only target for three yards, returned a kickoff for 13 yards and ran back a punt for nine yards in the Buccaneers' 30-10 win over the Giants on Monday nigh...

Impact Darden garnered active status once again with Antonio Brown (ankle) and Scotty Miller (toe) still sidelined, logging a total of 15 snaps between offense and special teams. The rookie has been serviceable on returns thus far with 230 total yards in that capacity; consequently, he could continue finding himself on the active roster even when Brown and Miller are available, the latter notably having been activated from injured reserve Tuesday.

NOVEMBER 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Garners 94 all-purpose yards Darden secured one of two targets for 29 yards in the Buccaneers' 29-19 loss to Washington on Sunday. He also returned two kickoffs for 51 yards and ran back two punts for 14 yards...

Impact Darden logged just four snaps from scrimmage but made good use of them with his 29-yard grab, and he continued to put in solid work on returns as well. The rookie has gotten an opportunity on offense over the last three games with Antonio Brown (ankle) out of action, and that could carry over into a Week 11 Monday night battle against the Giants.

NOVEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

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NOVEMBER 14, 2021 • Associated Press

Relatively busy day in loss Darden secured all three targets for 11 yards, returned three punts for 14 yards and ran back one kickoff for 17 yards in the Buccaneers' 36-27 loss to the Saints on Sunday.

Impact The rookie had a role on offense for the second straight game with Antonio Brown (ankle) once again inactive, and after failing to bring in his only target Week 7, Darden was able to crack the stat sheet in that regard Sunday. The speedster also continued in his usual role as the full-time returner, and despite the relatively encouraging involvement from scrimmage Sunday, his special-teams work figures to be his primary calling card once Brown is back to health, likely for a Week 10 date at Washington following the Week 9 bye.

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Fills both returner roles Darden failed to bring in his only target, rushed once for 11 yards, returned one punt for 43 yards and ran back one kickoff for 17 yards in the Buccaneers' 38-3 win over the Bears...

Impact With Antonio Brown (ankle) and Scotty Miller (toe) unavailable and Jaydon Mickens no longer on the roster, the rookie got a solid amount of opportunity on both offense and special teams against Chicago. Darden was in on 13 plays from scrimmage in addition to his six special-teams snaps, and with Brown and Miller still expected out in Week 8 against the Saints, it appears Darden is set to garner active status for the second consecutive game.

OCTOBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jaelon Darden on Rookie Season, 43-Yard Punt Return vs. Bears ' Press Conference Wide receiver Jaelon Darden spoke to the media on Wednesday ahead of Week 8 vs. the New Orleans Saints.

OCTOBER 27, 2021 • BUCCANEERS.COM

Active for second time as pro Darden is active for Sunday's game against the Bears and is in line to serve as the top kickoff and punt returner in addition to filling the No. 4 receiver role.

Impact Darden will garner active status for only the second time in his rookie season, and with Jaydon Mickens no longer on the roster, he'll be counted on to fill both returner roles. Additionally, Antonio Brown's (ankle) inactive status also projects to vault Darden into the No. 4 wideout spot behind the trio of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Tyler Johnson.

OCTOBER 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Tamp Bay's Gronkowski, Philadelphia's Johnson inactive

Tampa Bay tight end Rob Gronkowski (ribs) and Philadelphia right tackle Lane Johnson (personal) will both miss their third straight game on Thursday night

OCTOBER 14, 2021 • Associated Press

Healthy scratch Thursday Darden (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's game against the Eagles.

Impact Darden was selected by the Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but he'll be held out for the fifth time in the first six weeks of the season. The 22-year-old played mainly on special teams in his lone appearance this year.

OCTOBER 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting again Sunday Darden (coach's decision) is listed as inactive Sunday versus the Dolphins.

Impact Darden continues to wait his turn for a regular role in the Buccaneers' game plan, sitting out for the fourth time in five games to kick off his career. The rookie fourth-rounder has hauled in his only career target for no yards, returned two kickoffs for 48 yards and notched one punt return for four yards.

OCTOBER 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Healthy scratch Sunday Darden (coach's decision) is listed as inactive Sunday at New England.

Impact With return man Jaydon Mickens (abdomen) sidelined Week 3, Darden was a part of the game-day roster against the Rams, seeing three snaps on offense and 10 on special teams. But with Mickens back in the fold Sunday, Darden will be a healthy scratch for the third time this season.

OCTOBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Makes first career catch Darden hauled in his only target for no gain, returned two kickoffs for 48 yards and ran back one punt for four yards in the Buccaneers' 34-24 loss to the Rams on Sunday.

Impact Darden was active for the first time in his NFL career with Jaydon Mickens (abdomen) sidelined, and as expected, the majority of his touches came while filling the latter's returner roles. Darden logged only three snaps from scrimmage overall, but if he's active again in Week 4 against the Patriots, he may have a chance for at least a slight bump in opportunity with Scotty Miller (toe) projected to be unavailable.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Inactive in Week 2 Darden (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Week 2 tilt against the Falcons.

Impact The speedy rookie was also a spectator for the Week 1 win over the Cowboys. Darden will likely have trouble making many inroads on a deep receiver depth chart as long as there isn't a rash of injuries, but he's believed to have plenty of potential as a return. However, veteran Jaydon Mickens will handle the latter duties again versus Atlanta on Sunday.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Pro debut to wait Darden (coach's decision) is listed as inactive Thursday against the Cowboys.

Impact Darden thus will be in street clothes to start his career, like recent Bucs rookie wide receivers Tyler Johnson (in 2020 as a fifth-rounder) and Scotty Miller (in 2019 as a sixth-rounder). A fourth-round pick himself, Darden may take a few games to break through and be active on game days.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Primary Week 1 punt returner Darden will serve as the Buccaneers' primary punt returner in Thursday night's Week1 matchup against the Cowboys, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact The rookie's strong performances throughout preseason and his natural skills for the position were enough to secure him a roster spot, essentially at the expense of veteran Jaydon Mickens. Darden will now be trusted with an important role against Dallas despite the fact he never dealt with any of the most difficult return scenarios in preseason, such as having to make a decision on whether to field a punt inside the 20-yard line. "Wow, he's sudden," Buccaneers special-teams coach Keith Armstrong said. "The speed. But sudden and the lateral quickness. He can make the first, the second and maybe even the third man miss. He does a really good job. He catches the ball well. You would've loved to have seen him manage some situations."

SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Keith Armstrong: Jaelon Darden Will Be a Good NFL Returner The sample size and the number of situations faced is still small for new Bucs return man Jaelon Darden, but Special Teams Coordinator Keith...

SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 • BUCCANEERS.COM

Impressive in multiple roles Darden brought in three of five targets for 35 yards, returned one kickoff for 16 yards and ran back one punt for 17 yards in the Buccaneers' 23-16 preseason win over the Texans o...

Impact The rookie recorded multiple receptions for the third time in as many exhibitions while once again making an impact on special teams. Darden also totaled 51 yards on four punt returns this preseason, an impressive showing that could well have vaulted him over Jaydon Mickens for the job.

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Bucs rookie WR Jaelon Darden is getting hands-on help from Tom Brady Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady is making sure rookie wide receiver Jaelon Darden has a smooth transition to the NFL

AUGUST 23, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Another busy day Saturday Darden secured two of four targets for 18 yards and returned three punts for 34 yards in the Buccaneers' 34-3 preseason loss to the Titans on Saturday night. He also fumbled once b...

Impact Darden continued to enjoy a solid role by preseason standards Saturday, upping his involvement after logging three total touches in the exhibition opener against the Bengals. He's brought in just four of 10 targets over the first two preseason games, but he looked good as a punt returner Saturday, with the highlight of his night in that department a 19-yard return. If the rookie enjoys another strong night on special teams in the preseason finale against the Texans on Saturday, Darden could conceivably push Jaydon Mickens off the roster at final cuts.

AUGUST 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Pair of grabs in preseason opener Darden secured two of six targets for 19 yards and returned one kickoff for 12 yards in the Buccaneers' 19-14 preseason loss to the Bengals on Saturday night.

Impact The speedy rookie wasn't exactly efficient with his opportunities in the passing game, but he got on the stat sheet in his first action as a pro and was also given a chance to make an impression on special teams. Darden caught the eye of head coach Bruce Arians with both his natural ability and on-field growing pains, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports. "He looked like a rookie. He's hand-fighting too much instead of just using his speed," Arians said. "It's just things he's got to learn. But he's doing alright. He looked real fast when we got that little quick screen out to him. He's dangerous with his hands on the ball."

AUGUST 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Bucs rookie receiver Jaelon Darden knows a thing or two about tough routes Fifteen months after losing his dad, the fourth-round draft pick will make his pro debut.

AUGUST 10, 2021 • TAMPABAY.COM

Starting to stand out Darden has made a positive early impression over the first few days of training camp while getting some opportunities to work with the first-team offense, Scott Smith of the team's...

Impact The speedy fourth-round rookie has already managed to shake free against some of the Buccaneers' top defenders and is undoubtedly benefitting from an opportunity to already get some work in with Tom Brady. Darden has also proven quick to put any jitters behind him, as he's already displaying much more consistent hands following a drop-heavy first training camp session Sunday. That was particularly on display during Tuesday's practice, when Darden made a diving touchdown catch on a Brady pass during a red-zone drill. With fellow wideout Justin Watson (knee) sidelined until late November at minimum, Darden has one less obstacle on the depth chart to contend with for scrimmage snaps.

JULY 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Wideouts Mike Evans, Jaelon Darden Drawing Attention Star WR Mike Evans appears to be in midseason form early in training camp and his rookie teammate, fourth-rounder Jaelon Darden is flashing...

JULY 27, 2021 • BUCCANEERS.COM

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Tamp Bay's Gronkowski, Philadelphia's Johnson inactive