Bernard announced his retirement Friday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Bernard did not log a snap from scrimmage during the Buccaneers' 30-24 win over the Panthers in Week 17.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Bernard (ankle) was activated off injured reserve Saturday, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

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 been notoriously good as a rookie receiver and pass blocker, Bernard is especially good in those two capacities. It's possible the team could use White as a runner while Bernard operates in the passing downs sans Fournette, or the team could simply utilize White however much as possible with the veteran mixing in on the side. Either way, it's certainly something to monitor with Fournette not a lock for Week 13 either.

The Buccaneers designated Bernard (ankle) for return from injured reserve Monday.

EDGE Analysis

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.

The Buccaneers will place Bernard (ankle) on injured reserve Wednesday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Bernard (ankle) was ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Saints.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Bernard (ankle) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game at Dallas.

EDGE Analysis

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.