Bernard (hip) was spotted working off to the side during the portion of Thursday's practice that was open to the media, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bernard doesn't look as though he'll mix into team drills Thursday, so at this stage, the Buccaneers have yet to designate him for return from injured reserve. That doesn't bode well for his chances of being activated ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale with the Panthers, potentially leaving Tampa Bay with a thin backfield. Leonard Fournette (hamstring) is also working off to the side Thursday but isn't eligible to come off IR until the playoffs, while Ronald Jones (ankle) isn't practicing for the second day in a row and looks to be trending toward sitting out the regular-season finale. Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Le'Veon Bell are currently the only healthy running backs on the roster.

Coach Bruce Arians said Monday that Bernard (hip/knee) could return from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game against Carolina, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bernard has been sidelined since mid-December due to a strained hip and an MCL sprain, but he could be back in action for the Buccaneers' regular-season finale. If he's ultimately available, he should compete for backfield work with Ke'Shawn Vaughn (ribs) and Le'Veon Bell if Ronald Jones (ankle) is out.

The Buccaneers placed Bernard (hip/knee) on injured reserve Tuesday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bernard was knocked from the Bucs' Week 14 overtime win against the Bills due to a hip injury. Not only was he eventually diagnosed with a strained hip, an MCL sprain is among the reasons he is heading to IR. Bernard will miss at least three games as a result of the move, meaning his next potential game action won't come until Week 18 against the Panthers, at the earliest. Tampa Bay has been riding Leonard Fournette out of the backfield all season, but Ronald Jones and Ke'Shawn Vaughn now are the other candidates to get on the field in obvious passing situations in place of Bernard.

Bernard is expected to miss time after he suffered a hip strain and a sprained MCL of his knee Sunday's win over the Bills, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

According to Greg Auman of The Athletic, Bernard will undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the strain in particular, but even if he receives a positive diagnosis, he's unlikely to be ready to go for at least the Bucs' Week 15 game against the Saints. The pair of injuries won't necessarily require a stint on injured reserve, however, so Bernard could be able to avoid a three-game absence. Whatever length of time Bernard is sidelined, Ke'Shawn Vaughn is expected to step in as the No. 3 back behind Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones.

Bernard is scheduled for further tests Monday on the hip he injured during Sunday's win over the Bills, but X-rays revealed the veteran did not suffer a fracture, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The initial outlook for Bernard is cautiously optimistic, although there's always a chance further evaluation reveals a less rosy picture. He logged seven snaps from scrimmage and another five on special teams before suffering the injury in the second half, failing to record a carry or target.

Bernard won't return to Sunday's game against the Bills due to a hip injury, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bernard remained on the turf near the end of the first half and needed assistance from team trainers to get off the field before he was carted to the locker room. Prior to his departure, he had no touches. The Buccaneers thus are left with Ronald Jones and Ke'Shawn Vaughn behind No. 1 running back Leonard Fournette.

Bernard rushed once for three yards, brought in one of two targets for seven yards and returned two punts for seven yards in the Buccaneers' 30-17 win over the Falcons on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Bernard played just seven snaps from scrimmage despite Ronald Jones' early exit from the contest with an illness. The veteran back also filled in as the primary returner with Jaelon Darden (concussion) out of action, and although he didn't get any kickoff return opportunities, he did run back the pair of punts. Bernard could continue pulling double duty if Darden is unable to suit up for the Week 14 showdown against the Bills.

Bernard did not log a carry or target on his one offensive snap during Sunday's 38-31 win over the Colts.

EDGE Analysis

Bernard did log 16 special-teams snaps, but he went without a touch from scrimmage for the first time all season. However, with primary returner Jaelon Darden having suffered a concussion Sunday and Bernard having some kick-return experience, it's possible he's called up in that capacity during a Week 13 road matchup versus the Falcons.

Bernard did not log a rush attempt, secured his only target for three yards and returned one kickoff for 18 yards in the Buccaneers' 30-10 win over the Giants on Monday night.

EDGE Analysis

Bernard logged a return opportunity for the second straight game and played six special-teams snaps overall alongside eight plays from scrimmage. The veteran back has at least one reception in every game this season but has now failed to log a rush attempt in three of the past five contests, leaving him as only a longshot fantasy option in very deep formats.

Bernard rushed once for four yards, secured one of three targets for four yards and ran back one kickoff for 19 yards in the Buccaneers' 29-19 loss to Washington on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran back had a very modest role despite game script seemingly setting up well for his passing-down skills. Bernard did log 14 snaps from scrimmage (29%) and essentially functioned as Leonard Fournette's backup over Ronald Jones, who saw all of one snap. Whether that arrangement persists in a Week 11 Monday night home contest against the Giants remains to be seen.