Bucs running back Giovani Bernard doesn’t have many rushing attempts on the season, but when he’s made the most of his few opportunities. Bernard is sitting at 51 yards on the year, but averaging 8.5 yards per carry. His longest run, and the Bucs longest run, of the season came Sunday against the Saints. The 24-yard scamper helped set the team up at midfield a potential scoring drive before halftime. The possession ended with a turnover, but head coach Bruce Arians was impressed.

“It was a great play to start the two minute drive,” Arians said on Bucs Total Access. “We get the long run, we get to midfield. Then we turn around and throw the interception. But I thought Gio had a heck of a ball game.”

While Bernard’s contributions in the run game have been limited, he has been impactful in the passing game. He’s caught a pass in every game he’s played in this season, and has three receiving touchdowns. That’s the most scores through the air for a Bucs running back since 2015. Bernard has 20 receptions for 109 yards out of the backfield this season, but his biggest impact has come in the red zone.

“It’s a big, big addition to us in the red zone,” Arians said. “You know you have that one mismatch when you have all those other guys out there. Then you get that one mismatch that Gio can exploit. Byron [Leftwich] has done a good job of putting him in a position where he can be successful.”

Bernard has been utilized primarily in third down, red zone and two-minute situations. However, he’s made the case to see more snaps in early down situations too. Will the Bucs give him more opportunities to run the ball this year? Will Bernard continue to eat into Ronald Jones snaps too?

You can listen to the entire interview on Bucs Total Access right here.