It’s been a miserable preseason for Bucs second-year RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn, who has struggled as a runner and as a returner. After carrying 15 times for 29 yards and fumbling twice on Saturday night, many believed Vaughn could be in the doghouse. Instead, the former third round pick was given a vote of confidence by head coach Bruce Arians on Sunday afternoon.

“As a runner, he’s fine,” Arians said. “He did a heck of a job as a gunner. His return ability is up in the air. He’s more of a running back looking for a hole than just hitting it as a kick returner. But he gets us out of a ball game. He’s a good off returner for sure, because he will block.”

Bucs RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

It’s true that Vaughn hasn’t had ample room to run, but he’s also created very little with burst, strength or elusiveness in the preseason. In three preseason games, Vaughn has 35 carries for 74 yards and one touchdown. He’s also dropped one of four targets, catching the other three for 19 yards.

Vaughn has impressed as a gunner, but the Bucs were hoping for a little more when they selected the Vanderbilt product in the third round a year ago. Vaughn dropped four of ten targets last year, fumbled twice and failed to show off much ability with the ball in his hands. He’s been solid in training camp practices, but in live game action it’s clear how limited he is.

If Vaughn is active in ten days against the Cowboys, it’ll be because of his work as a gunner. He’s consistently impressed on the Bucs punt team, showing more of a feel on teams than he has on offense. It’s not what the Bucs hoped for when they drafted Vaughn, but it may be what they’re getting anyway.

The Bucs host the Cowboys on Thursday, September 9, to open the 2021 NFL season.