The Bucs are going to have a change in the kick return game again as they have signed wide receiver Jaydon Mickens from the practice squad to the active roster, while placing running back Kenjon Barner on injured reserve.

Mickens was the Bucs’ primary kick and punt returner for the first nine weeks of the season, but then was put on the Reserve/COVID-19 list before activating him in Week 12 and releasing him on December 7th. Mickens then re-signed to the practice squad shortly after.

Barner took over the kick and punt return role in Week 11 and then in Weeks 14-16 where he gained 134 yards on six kick returns and had 13 punt returns for 59 yards.

Presumably, Mickens will take back his main responsibilities on the team that he began the season with. Mickens still leads the Bucs in yards and average for both kick and punt returns, recording 289 kick return yards for an average of 24.1 yards per return, and 99 punt return yards for a 6.6 average.