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Kenjon Barner
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Kenjon Fa'terrel Barner[1] (born April 28, 1989) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon Ducks, earning consensus All-American honors in 2012. Barner was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Barner attended Notre Dame High School in Riverside, California, where he played for the Notre Dame Titans high school football team under head coach Patrick Thompson.[2]
Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Barner was listed as the No. 38 running back in the nation in 2008.[3]
College career
[edit]
A native of Southern California, Barner chose to attend the University of Oregon and play for head coach Chip Kelly's Oregon Ducks football team.[4] He was ranked by Rivals as the 38th best running back prospect in the country, as well as the 86th overall prospect from the state of California[5] Barner chose Oregon over scholarship offers from Arizona State and UTEP.
Barner is the first Oregon Duck since 1965 who has scored touchdowns rushing, receiving, and from punt and kickoff returns.[6]
In the 2009 season, Barner had 61 carries for 366 yards and three rushing touchdowns to go along with 41 kick returns for 1,020 net yards and a 100-yard kick return touchdown, which came against the UCLA Bruins.[7][8]
In the 2010 season, Barner's role on the offense expanded. In the season opener against New Mexico, he had 17 carries for 147 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns to go along with a 60-yard touchdown reception.[9] In the next game, a victory over Tennessee, he had a punt return touchdown.[10] He suffered a career-threatening concussion after a helmet-to-helmet hit against Washington State on October 9.[6] In the annual rivalry game against Oregon State, he had 15 carries for 133 rushing yards and a touchdown.[11] Overall, he had 551 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns, 121 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns, 13 kick returns, 236 net kick return yards, 10 punt returns, 132 net punt return yards, and a punt return touchdown in the 2010 season.[12]
In the 2011 season, Barner was the second leading rusher in the Ducks' backfield.[13] On September 24, against Arizona, he had 72 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, and two receptions for six yards and a receiving touchdown.[14] On October 15, against Arizona State, he had 31 carries for 171 rushing yards and a touchdown.[15] He followed that up with 115 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in a victory over Colorado.[16] On November 19, against Southern California, he had 123 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.[17] Overall, in the 2011 season, he had 939 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns, 17 receptions, 184 rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns.[18]
Barner was considered one of the top running back prospects for the 2012 NFL draft before announcing he would return to Oregon,[19] where he succeeded LaMichael James as the team's main running back.[20] He was named a top contender for the 2012 Heisman Trophy,[21] eventually won by freshman sensation Johnny Manziel.
In the season opener against Arkansas State, Barner had 66 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.[22] In the second game, he had 201 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in a victory over Fresno State.[23] On September 29, against Washington State, he had 195 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns to go along with three receptions for 37 yards and a receiving touchdown.[24] On October 18, against Arizona State, he had 143 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.[25] On November 3, he set a rushing record for Oregon and for USC Trojans football opponents, with 321 rushing yards; he also scored five touchdowns in the game.[26][27] In the final game of the regular season, he had 198 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in a victory over Oregon State.[28]
The Ducks won the 2013 Fiesta Bowl over Kansas State with Barner having 143 rushing yards and a 24-yard touchdown reception.[29] Following his senior season, Barner was named to the AP All-American second-team and the All-Pac-12 Conference First-team.[30][31] He finished in ninth place in the 2012 Heisman Trophy voting.[32]
Barner joined the track team following the completion of football's spring drills and competed in two meets at 100 meters and on the 4 × 100 meter relay. He ran the third-leg on Oregon's fourth place 4 × 100 meter relay team at the Pac-10 Championships, where Oregon won its fourth-straight league title with a season-best time of 40.36 seconds.[33] At the 2010 Pac-10 Conference Championships, he ran a career-best time of 10.71 seconds in the 100 meters, finishing 14th in the prelims.[34] He placed 3rd in the 200 meters at the 2011 Oregon Relays, with a time of 22.29 seconds. He also placed 3rd in the 60 meters at the 2011 Washington Husky Invitational, at 7.09 seconds.
College statistics
[edit]| Oregon Ducks | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | GP | Rushing | ||||||||||
| Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Y/G | |||||||
| 2009 | 13 | 61 | 366 | 6.0 | 48 | 3 | 28.2 | |||||
| 2010 | 11 | 91 | 551 | 6.1 | 41 | 6 | 50.1 | |||||
| 2011 | 12 | 152 | 939 | 6.2 | 84 | 11 | 78.2 | |||||
| 2012 | 13 | 278 | 1,767 | 6.4 | 80 | 21 | 135.9 | |||||
| Total | 49 | 582 | 3,623 | 6.2 | 84 | 41 | 73.9 | |||||
Professional career
[edit]| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 9+1⁄4 in (1.76 m) |
196 lb (89 kg) |
29+5⁄8 in (0.75 m) |
9+1⁄8 in (0.23 m) |
4.39 s | 1.58 s | 2.59 s | 4.14 s | 6.87 s | 35.5 in (0.90 m) |
10 ft 2 in (3.10 m) |
20 reps | |
| All values from NFL Combine/Oregon's Pro Day[35][36] | ||||||||||||
Carolina Panthers (first stint)
[edit]On April 27, 2013, Barner was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the sixth round (182nd overall) of the 2013 NFL draft.[37] In his rookie year, Barner played a limited role on special teams. He had six carries for seven yards and two catches for seven yards.[38]
Philadelphia Eagles (first stint)
[edit]On August 19, 2014, Barner was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for a conditional seventh round pick in 2015.[39] The trade reunited Barner with his former head coach at University of Oregon, Chip Kelly. He was released on August 30, 2014. On November 4, 2014, he was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad.
During the 2015 preseason, Barner attempted to make the roster behind three former NFL starters, DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles. Looking to make an impact in the return game, Barner found near immediate success. In the first preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts he returned a punt 92 yards for a touchdown to end the second quarter.[40] In the second preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, he returned another punt for a 68-yard touchdown.[41] He made the roster and ended up with 124 rushing yards and 22 receiving yards in the 2015 season.[42]
Barner played in 13 games in 2016, rushing 27 times for 129 yards and two touchdowns and recorded five receptions for 42 yards while contributing on special teams as a returner.[43] He was placed on injured reserve on December 20, 2016.[44]
Los Angeles Chargers
[edit]On March 20, 2017, Barner signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers.[45] He was released on September 2, 2017.[46]
Philadelphia Eagles (second stint)
[edit]On September 26, 2017, Barner signed a one-year deal with the Eagles after an injury to running back Darren Sproles.[47] In Week 5, Barner averaged 36 yards on three punt returns, including a 76-yarder, in a 34–7 win over the Cardinals, earning him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.[48] He finished the regular season with 57 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, 56 receiving yards, 10 kick returns for 194 net yards, and 27 punt returns for 240 net yards.[49] The Eagles finished the season 13–3, clinching the NFC East division.[50] The team reached Super Bowl LII, where they defeated the New England Patriots 41–33, winning their first Super Bowl.[51][52] In the game, Barner had three kick returns for 73 net yards.[53]
Carolina Panthers (second stint)
[edit]On May 11, 2018, Barner signed with the Panthers.[54] He was released on August 31, 2018, as part of final roster cuts.[55]
New England Patriots
[edit]On September 11, 2018, Barner signed with the New England Patriots.[56] On September 19, 2018, the Patriots released Barner, but re-signed him a week later after Rex Burkhead was placed on injured reserve.[57][58] He was released again on October 4, 2018, before Barner was re-signed four days later.[59][60] On November 13, 2018, the Patriots released Barner.[61] On June 13, 2019, the Patriots awarded Barner with a Super Bowl LIII ring.[62]
Carolina Panthers (third stint)
[edit]On November 14, 2018, Barner was claimed off waivers by the Panthers.[63] He was placed on injured reserve on December 28, 2018.[64] He had 19 carries for 71 yards on the 2018 season.[65]
Atlanta Falcons
[edit]
On March 14, 2019, Barner signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons.[66] In Week 11 of the 2019 season, against the Carolina Panthers, he had a 78-yard punt return for a touchdown in the 29–3 victory, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.[67][68]
Baltimore Ravens
[edit]On August 12, 2020, Barner signed a one-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens.[69] He was released during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020.[70]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
[edit]On September 10, 2020, Barner was signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad.[71] He was elevated to the active roster for the team's weeks 3 and 4 games against the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers, respectively, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.[72][73] He was suspended by the NFL for four games after violating the league's performance-enhancing drugs policy on October 6, 2020.[74] He was reinstated from suspension and activated back to the practice squad on November 3.[75] Barner was elevated to the active roster again on November 23 for the Week 11 game against the Los Angeles Rams, and reverted to the practice squad again following the game.[76] He was signed to the active roster on December 7, 2020.[77] On December 30, 2020, Barner was placed on injured reserve.[78] He was designated to return from injured reserve on January 19, 2021, and began practicing with the team again, but the team did not activate him before the end of the postseason.[79] Without Barner, the Buccaneers won Super Bowl LV 31–9 against the Kansas City Chiefs earning Barner a third championship ring.[80][81]
On December 15, 2021, Barner was signed to the Buccaneers practice squad. After the Buccaneers were eliminated in the Divisional Round of the 2021 playoffs, he signed a reserve/future contract on January 24, 2022.[82] He was placed on injured reserve on August 15, 2022.[83] He was released on October 11, 2022.[84]
NFL career statistics
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Rushing | Fumbles | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2013 | CAR | 8 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 3.5 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 1.2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2015 | PHI | 10 | 0 | 9 | 22 | 2.4 | 12 | 0 | 28 | 124 | 4.4 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2016 | PHI | 13 | 0 | 5 | 42 | 8.4 | 15 | 0 | 27 | 129 | 4.8 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | PHI | 13 | 1 | 5 | 56 | 11.2 | 22 | 0 | 16 | 57 | 3.6 | 18 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 2018 | NE | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 71 | 3.7 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| CAR | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2019 | ATL | 14 | 0 | 6 | 22 | 3.7 | 13 | 0 | 4 | 28 | 7.0 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| 2020 | TB | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 73 | 1 | 28 | 152 | 5.4 | 22 | 0 | 100 | 416 | 4.2 | 19 | 3 | 10 | 2 | |
Personal life
[edit]Barner was born in Lynwood, California to parents Gary and Wilhelmenia Barner. He has five older brothers and one older sister. He graduated with a degree in criminology in spring 2012. Kenjon has two sons born in 2013 and 2017.[6]
Barner’s cousin Melvin Carter was elected mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota in November 2017.[85]
References
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- ^ "Kenjon Barner, 2008 Running Back". Rivals.com. Archived from the original on October 24, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
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- ^ Smith, Scott (December 7, 2020). "Bucs Promote Kenjon Barner, Waive Jaydon Mickens". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
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External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kenjon Barner.
- Career statistics from NFL.com · ESPN · Yahoo Sports · Pro Football Reference
- Oregon Ducks bio
Kenjon Barner
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early years
Early life
Kenjon Barner was born on April 28, 1989, in Lynwood, California, to parents Gary and Wilhelmenia Barner. He was the youngest of seven children, with five older brothers and one older sister, in a close-knit family that emphasized hard work and mutual support amid financial challenges.[7][8] Following his birth in the Los Angeles area, Barner's family relocated first to Cypress and then to Moreno Valley, California, to escape violence and provide a safer environment focused on education. He was named after his cousin David Kenjon Adkins, who was murdered in 1988.[9] This move shaped his upbringing, where his parents, often working long hours, instilled values of education and resilience in their children.[9] The family's emphasis on staying out of trouble and pursuing opportunities influenced Barner's early development, fostering a strong sense of responsibility as the youngest child.[8] Barner's initial exposure to football came through youth leagues in California, including as a Pop Warner sensation, where he began honing his athletic skills as a child.[10] These early experiences, combined with competitive play among his siblings, sparked his passion for the sport and laid the foundation for his future athletic pursuits.[11]High school career
Kenjon Barner attended Notre Dame High School in Riverside, California, from 2005 to 2008, where he emerged as a standout running back for the Notre Dame Titans football team.[4] During his junior and senior seasons, Barner demonstrated exceptional speed and elusiveness, rushing for 1,759 yards on 227 carries in 2006-07 and a remarkable 3,124 yards on 416 carries in 2007-08, averaging 7.5 yards per carry in his final year.[12] Over his career, he amassed 4,883 rushing yards on 643 attempts with 69 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the top rushers in California high school football.[12] Barner's dominance earned him first-team All-CIF Southern Section honors in football, recognizing his contributions as the league's leading scorer.[4] He also received team MVP honors for the Titans, highlighting his leadership and impact on the field during his high school tenure.[13] As a highly touted prospect, Barner attracted attention from multiple college programs, ultimately committing to the University of Oregon in the class of 2008 after earning a three-star recruit rating.[14] His recruitment underscored his potential as a versatile back, paving the way for his collegiate career with the Ducks.[15]College career
University of Oregon
Barner arrived at the University of Oregon in 2008 as a highly touted recruit and redshirted that season to preserve a year of eligibility.[16] In 2009, as a redshirt freshman, he transitioned from defensive back to running back and saw limited action behind starter Jeremiah Johnson, appearing in all 13 games with 61 carries for 366 rushing yards and three touchdowns while contributing on special teams.[17][18] During the 2010 season, Barner served primarily as a backup to All-American LaMichael James, playing in 11 games and rushing for 551 yards and six touchdowns on 91 carries, including a standout performance with five total touchdowns against New Mexico that tied a school record.[17][19] In 2011, with James departing for the NFL, Barner transitioned into a starting role alongside De'Anthony Thomas, carrying the ball 152 times for 939 yards and 11 touchdowns over 12 games.[17][4] Barner's breakout came in 2012 as the Ducks' lead back, where he exploded for 1,767 rushing yards and a nation-leading 21 touchdowns on 278 carries across 13 games, earning consensus All-American honors, first-team All-Pac-12 selection, and the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year award.[17][4] His signature performance was a school-record 321 rushing yards and five touchdowns in a 62–51 victory over USC, which propelled Oregon to an undefeated regular season.[3] He added 198 rushing yards and two touchdowns against rival Oregon State. In the Fiesta Bowl, Barner added 143 rushing yards and a touchdown to help the No. 2 Ducks defeat No. 7 Kansas State 35–17, capping a 12–1 campaign. Over his four seasons, Oregon compiled a 46–7 record, including three Pac-12 (North) division titles and three straight BCS bowl appearances (2010–2012).[20][21] Academically, Barner majored in criminology and graduated in spring 2012, balancing a light course load of yoga and ballet in his final year.[22]College statistics
Kenjon Barner played college football at the University of Oregon from 2009 to 2012, accumulating 3,623 rushing yards on 582 carries for an average of 6.2 yards per carry and 41 rushing touchdowns.[23] He also recorded 54 receptions for 591 yards and 7 receiving touchdowns, along with 1,371 kick return yards (including 1 touchdown) and 263 punt return yards (including 1 touchdown), for total all-purpose yards of 5,848.[17] Barner's rushing totals rank third in Oregon Ducks history.[23]Rushing Statistics
| Year | Games | Attempts | Yards | Yards per Carry | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 13 | 61 | 366 | 6.0 | 3 |
| 2010 | 11 | 91 | 551 | 6.1 | 6 |
| 2011 | 12 | 152 | 939 | 6.2 | 11 |
| 2012 | 13 | 278 | 1,767 | 6.4 | 21 |
| Career | 49 | 582 | 3,623 | 6.2 | 41 |
Receiving Statistics
| Year | Games | Receptions | Yards | Yards per Reception | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 13 | 4 | 30 | 7.5 | 0 |
| 2010 | 11 | 13 | 121 | 9.3 | 2 |
| 2011 | 12 | 17 | 184 | 10.8 | 3 |
| 2012 | 13 | 20 | 256 | 12.8 | 2 |
| Career | 49 | 54 | 591 | 10.9 | 7 |
Return Statistics
| Year | Kick Returns | Kick Yards | Yards per Kick Return | Kick TDs | Punt Returns | Punt Yards | Yards per Punt Return | Punt TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 41 | 1,020 | 24.9 | 1 | 13 | 137 | 10.5 | 0 |
| 2010 | 13 | 236 | 18.2 | 0 | 10 | 132 | 13.2 | 1 |
| 2011 | 7 | 115 | 16.4 | 0 | 3 | -6 | -2.0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 |
| Career | 61 | 1,371 | 22.5 | 1 | 26 | 263 | 10.1 | 1 |
Professional career
Carolina Panthers (first stint)
Barner was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the sixth round (182nd overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft.[24] As a late-round pick known for his speed and versatility from his college days at Oregon, he signed a four-year rookie contract with the team shortly after the draft.[25] During his rookie season in 2013, Barner appeared in eight games for the Panthers without starting any, primarily serving as a depth running back behind starters DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.[1] He recorded six rushing attempts for seven yards, averaging 1.2 yards per carry, along with two receptions for seven yards and two kickoff returns for 17 yards, contributing sparingly to both the rushing attack and special teams units.[1][26] His limited snaps reflected the team's established backfield depth and Barner's adjustment to the professional level amid competition for carries. Prior to the 2014 regular season, the Panthers traded Barner to the Philadelphia Eagles on August 19 in exchange for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in 2015, ending his initial stint with Carolina after one year.[27] The trade, which did not ultimately yield the pick due to Barner's subsequent injury with Philadelphia, marked the conclusion of his rookie development period with the Panthers.[26]Philadelphia Eagles (first stint)
Barner joined the Philadelphia Eagles via trade from the Carolina Panthers on August 19, 2014, in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Shortly after, on August 30, 2014, he was waived/injured due to an ankle issue but was re-signed to the team's practice squad in November. Barner was elevated to the active roster on December 31, 2014, providing depth at running back, though he did not appear in any games that season.[27][28][29] Entering the 2015 season, Barner secured a spot on the Eagles' 53-man roster and played in 10 games as a reserve running back and special teams contributor. He recorded 124 rushing yards on 28 carries and 22 receiving yards on nine catches, while handling limited return duties with one punt return for minus-3 yards and one kickoff return for 10 yards. His versatility helped bolster the team's backfield depth behind starters DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews.[1] In 2016, Barner appeared in all 13 games, continuing his role as a change-of-pace back and returner. He rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries, including his first NFL rushing score—a 6-yard run in a Week 3 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Barner added 42 receiving yards on five catches, along with two punt returns for 22 yards and nine kickoff returns for 277 yards, averaging 30.8 yards per return. These contributions highlighted his development as a dynamic special teams asset amid injuries to other backs.[1][30] Across his first tenure with Philadelphia from 2014 to 2016, Barner appeared in 23 games (none in 2014), providing situational running back depth and return capabilities on a team that reached the playoffs in 2015.[1]Los Angeles Chargers
On March 20, 2017, Barner signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers as an unrestricted free agent following two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.[31] The signing aimed to bolster the team's special teams unit, where Barner's experience as a return specialist—averaging 8.9 yards per punt return and 30.8 yards per kick return in 2016—made him a valuable addition for depth behind primary returner Travis Benjamin. Barner, a Riverside, California native, brought speed and versatility to the backfield, having previously demonstrated utility in both offensive and return roles during his time in Philadelphia. Throughout the 2017 preseason, Barner appeared in all three games for the Chargers, primarily contributing on special teams while seeing limited offensive opportunities. He recorded 5 rushing attempts for 29 yards (5.8 average), with no receptions or touchdowns. His role emphasized punt and kick return duties, aligning with the Chargers' need for explosive plays in the return game, though specific return statistics from the preseason were modest and did not lead to a lock for the 53-man roster. Barner's preseason performance highlighted his agility but was overshadowed by competition from younger backs like Austin Ekeler and Andre Williams. The Chargers released Barner on September 2, 2017, as part of their final roster cuts prior to the regular season opener. He did not participate in any regular-season or playoff games with the team, marking the end of his brief stint in Los Angeles.[1]Philadelphia Eagles (second stint)
Following his release from the Los Angeles Chargers in September 2017, Barner returned to the Philadelphia Eagles on September 26, 2017, signing a one-year contract to provide depth at running back amid an injury to Darren Sproles.[32][33][34] In his second stint with the Eagles, Barner appeared in 13 regular-season games, starting one, logging 77 offensive snaps and 125 special teams snaps, while serving primarily as a return specialist and backup.[1][35] He rushed for 57 yards with one touchdown on 16 carries while catching five passes for 56 yards. As the primary punt returner, Barner logged 27 returns for 240 yards, including a 76-yard return that earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals; he also had 10 kickoff returns for 194 yards.[36][1] Barner remained on the active roster through the postseason, appearing in three playoff games with five total returns for 109 yards (1 punt return for 10 yards and 4 kickoff returns for 99 yards), contributing to the Eagles' Super Bowl LII victory over the New England Patriots.[1] As a returning veteran from the Eagles' 2015–2016 roster, Barner helped foster team culture and morale during the championship campaign, drawing on his prior experience with the organization to support younger players and special teams units.[37] The Eagles did not re-sign Barner after the 2017 season, allowing him to enter free agency in March 2018.[38]Carolina Panthers (second stint)
Barner rejoined the Carolina Panthers, the team that originally drafted him in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, on May 11, 2018, signing a one-year contract as a free agent to add depth at running back and special teams experience.[26] He participated in the team's training camp and preseason, where he appeared in all four exhibition games, returning kicks and punts while also contributing on offense with six rushes for seven yards and two receptions for seven yards.[39] However, Barner was waived by the Panthers on August 31, 2018, as part of final roster cuts prior to the regular season.[40]New England Patriots
Barner joined the New England Patriots on October 8, 2018, marking his third stint with the team that season after being released by the Carolina Panthers earlier in the month.[41] This signing came amid injuries to the Patriots' running back depth, with Rex Burkhead sidelined, providing Barner an opportunity for depth on a contending roster.[42] During his time with the Patriots, Barner appeared in four regular-season games from Weeks 6 through 9, serving primarily as a backup running back with limited offensive snaps. He recorded 16 rushing attempts for 60 yards across those contests, including a season-high 10 carries for 36 yards in a 38–31 win over the Chicago Bears on October 21, but had no receptions, touchdowns, or return opportunities.[39] His role remained minimal, focusing on special teams and practice contributions as the Patriots built momentum toward the playoffs with a 6–2 record through mid-October. Although released before the playoffs, Barner received a Super Bowl LIII ring as a member of the 2018 regular-season roster, marking his second championship.[43] The Patriots released Barner on November 13, 2018, as part of roster adjustments heading into the final weeks of the regular season; the team went on to finish 11–5 and reach Super Bowl LIII.[44]Carolina Panthers (third stint)
On November 14, 2018, the Carolina Panthers claimed running back Kenjon Barner off waivers from the New England Patriots to bolster their special teams unit late in the season.[45][46] This marked Barner's third affiliation with the Panthers, following earlier stints in 2013 and 2018, where he had previously contributed as a return specialist.[45] Barner appeared in four games for the Panthers during the 2018 regular season, primarily serving in a special teams role focused on returns rather than offensive carries. Over these contests—from December 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers through December 23 versus the Atlanta Falcons—he recorded nine kickoff returns for 220 yards and seven punt returns for 29 yards, providing depth and stability to the Panthers' return game amid injuries and roster adjustments.[39] His limited offensive involvement included just one reception for three yards.[1] He also fumbled once. On December 28, 2018, Barner was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury, ending his active participation for the season and concluding his multiple tenures with the Panthers organization.[47][48]Atlanta Falcons
Barner signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons on March 14, 2019.[49] In the 2019 season, Barner appeared in 14 games as the team's primary return specialist.[1] He handled 35 punt returns for 267 yards, including a standout 78-yard touchdown return against the Carolina Panthers on November 17, which marked the Falcons' first punt return score since Devin Hester's in 2014 and added irony given Barner's history as a 2013 draft pick of the Panthers.[50][1] Barner's offensive role was minimal, limited to four rushing attempts for 28 yards with no receptions or touchdowns.[1] He also contributed on kickoff returns, logging 17 for 406 yards.[1] Barner became an unrestricted free agent after the season.[38]Baltimore Ravens
Barner signed with the Baltimore Ravens on August 12, 2020, as a veteran running back to provide depth and compete for punt return duties during training camp.[51] He did not appear in any games and was not elevated from the roster.[1] Throughout his brief time with the team, Barner served primarily as emergency depth behind the established backfield, including return specialist candidates like rookie James Proche.[52] The Ravens released him on September 5, 2020, as part of final roster cuts ahead of the regular season.[53] This stint occurred during a competitive Ravens season in which the team finished 11-5 and captured the AFC North division title. Following his release, Barner quickly attracted interest from other teams, leading to his signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' practice squad later that month.[54]Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Barner signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' practice squad on September 10, 2020, marking the beginning of his two-season tenure with the team.[54] Primarily utilized as a special teams player and return specialist during the Tom Brady-led era, he was elevated from the practice squad multiple times throughout the 2020 season, appearing in six games.[1] In those contests, Barner handled 13 punt returns for 75 yards and seven kickoff returns for 167 yards, contributing to the Buccaneers' dynamic return game.[55] Barner's role extended to the playoffs, where he was part of the Buccaneers' roster for Super Bowl LV, helping secure a 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on February 7, 2021, and earning his third Super Bowl championship.[56] In the 2021 regular season, he rejoined the practice squad in December before being elevated for three games, recording four rushing attempts for zero yards and six punt returns for 47 yards.[1] Following the season, Barner signed a reserve/future contract with Tampa Bay on January 24, 2022, but was placed on injured reserve in August and released on October 11, 2022, effectively concluding his NFL career.[38]Professional statistics
Rushing and receiving statistics
Kenjon Barner's professional rushing and receiving statistics reflect his role as a situational running back and occasional pass catcher across nine NFL seasons from 2013 to 2021. Over his career, he recorded 104 rushing attempts for 416 yards and 3 touchdowns, with an average of 4.0 yards per carry; he also had 28 receptions for 152 yards and no receiving touchdowns.[1] The following table summarizes his year-by-year regular season performance, with notable output in 2016 when he scored both of his rushing touchdowns on 129 yards from 27 carries, and in 2015 when he led his seasonal totals in carries (28) and receptions (9).[1]| Year | Team(s) | Games | Rush Att | Rush Yds | Rush TD | Rec | Rec Yds | Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | CAR | 8 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 0 |
| 2015 | PHI | 10 | 28 | 124 | 0 | 9 | 22 | 0 |
| 2016 | PHI | 13 | 27 | 129 | 2 | 5 | 42 | 0 |
| 2017 | PHI | 13 | 16 | 57 | 1 | 5 | 56 | 0 |
| 2018 | NWE/CAR | 9 | 19 | 71 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 2019 | ATL | 14 | 4 | 28 | 0 | 6 | 22 | 0 |
| 2020 | TB | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | TB | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Kick and punt return statistics
Kenjon Barner's role as a return specialist in the NFL encompassed both kick and punt returns, primarily during his stints with the Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Over his eight-season regular season career, he amassed 55 kick returns for 1,291 yards, averaging 23.5 yards per return with no touchdowns.[55] In punt returns, Barner totaled 91 returns for 677 yards and one touchdown, averaging 7.4 yards per return.[55] His most notable performance came in 2019 with the Atlanta Falcons, where he led the team with 35 punt returns for 267 yards, including a 78-yard touchdown return against the Carolina Panthers.[1] The following table summarizes Barner's regular season kick and punt return statistics by year and team:| Year | Team | G | Punt Ret | Punt Yds | Punt Avg | Punt TD | Long Punt | Kick Ret | Kick Yds | Kick Avg | Kick TD | Long Kick |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | CAR | 8 | 0 | 0 | -- | 0 | -- | 2 | 17 | 8.5 | 0 | 11 |
| 2015 | PHI | 10 | 1 | -3 | -3.0 | 0 | -3 | 1 | 10 | 10.0 | 0 | 10 |
| 2016 | PHI | 13 | 2 | 22 | 11.0 | 0 | 22 | 9 | 277 | 30.8 | 0 | 61 |
| 2017 | PHI | 13 | 27 | 240 | 8.9 | 0 | 76 | 10 | 194 | 19.4 | 0 | 27 |
| 2018 | NWE/CAR | 9 | 7 | 29 | 4.1 | 0 | 13 | 9 | 220 | 24.4 | 0 | 37 |
| 2019 | ATL | 14 | 35 | 267 | 7.6 | 1 | 78 | 17 | 406 | 23.9 | 0 | 47 |
| 2020 | TB | 6 | 13 | 75 | 5.8 | 0 | 21 | 7 | 167 | 23.9 | 0 | 33 |
| 2021 | TB | 3 | 6 | 47 | 7.8 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | -- | 0 | -- |
| Career | -- | 76 | 91 | 677 | 7.4 | 1 | 78 | 55 | 1,291 | 23.5 | 0 | 61 |