Darden signed a reserve/future contract with the Browns on Monday.
The wide receiver was on the Browns' practice squad at the end of the season. Darden appeared in one game and during which he logged nine special-teams snaps in 2023.
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Jaelon Darden: Back to practice squad
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Darden reverted to the Browns' practice squad Monday.
Darden operated as the team's primary return specialist in Sunday's 19-17 upset win over the 49ers, compiling 42 return-yards on two kick returns and 39 yards on four punts. If Cedric Tillman (hip) is unable to go again in Week 7 versus the Colts, Darden could be elevated to the team's active roster again.
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Browns' Jaelon Darden: Held out Saturday
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Darden (leg) is not expected to play Saturday against the Chiefs, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Darden had been cleared to participate in seven-on-seven drills earlier this week, but that's evidently not enough for him to see action on the field Saturday. The 2021 fourth-round pick of the Buccaneers is likely on the roster fringes for the Browns and will need to get healthy quickly if he's to have a shot at making the opening 53-man roster.
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Browns' Jaelon Darden: In depth WR mix
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Darden is listed as second on the unofficial depth chart at one wideout position behind Amari Cooper for Thursday's Hall of Fame Game against the Jets, the Browns' official site reports.
Darden jumped Anthony Schwartz on the depth chart and appears to benefit from Marquise Goodwin (blood clots) landing on the active/non-football illness list. Darden is also listed as the third kickoff and punt returner.
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Jaelon Darden: Loses roster spot
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Darden was waived by the Buccaneers on Tuesday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
Darden has played in all 12 games for the Bucs this season, mainly handling return duties while seeing limited snaps on offense. It's currently unclear if he'll be brought back to the team's practice squad if he is able to clear waivers. Rachaad White and Scotty Miller will be candidates to replace Darden as return men.
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Buccaneers' Jaelon Darden: Busy day as returner
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Darden did not log any snaps on offense but returned eight punts for 82 yards in the Buccaneers' 16-13 win over the Rams on Sunday.
It was an extremely busy day on special teams for Darden, who recorded a career high in return yardage on an afternoon when the Rams were about as inept at sustaining drives as the Buccaneers. Darden continues to be among the league's most efficient return men, now averaging 10.6 yards on his 27 punt runbacks overall.
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Buccaneers' Jaelon Darden: Continues shining on returns
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Darden returned two punts for 33 yards in the Buccaneers' 27-22 loss to the Ravens on Thursday night.
Darden once again was a non-factor on offense but continued to shine in his punt returner role. The second-year speedster ripped off runbacks of 18 and 15 yards, pushing his average in that category to a stellar 10.7 yards per return.
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Buccaneers' Jaelon Darden: Logs three punt returns in Week 6
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Darden returned three punts for 14 yards during the Buccaneers' 20-18 loss to the Steelers in Week 6.
The second-year wideout failed to see a snap on offense for the first time all season, but he continued to deliver solid production on his punt-return opportunities. Darden's average of 9.6 yards on punt runbacks ties him for 10th overall in the league and qualifies as the fourth highest of players that have logged double-digit returns, while his 125 yards are good for sixth most.
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Buccaneers' Jaelon Darden: Back in full Thursday
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Darden (tooth) practiced fully Thursday.
Darden missed Wednesday's practice due to a tooth issue, but his return as a full participant in Thursday's session suggests he'll likely be available for Sunday's game against the Steelers. The second-year receiver has just one catch for 25 yards through the Buccaneers first five contests, and he'll likely see very limited snaps on offense once again this weekend in Pittsburgh.
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Buccaneers' Jaelon Darden: Limited to pair of punt returns
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Darden didn't log a target over his 11 snaps from scrimmage and returned two punts for 40 yards in the Buccaneers' 21-15 win over the Falcons on Sunday.
Darden's second-highest snap count from scrimmage of the season didn't net him any production, but he was impressive yet again in his primary role as punt returner. Darden has now netted 111 yards on nine punt runbacks, and his elite speed and elusiveness should eventually help him garner some targets on offense.
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Buccaneers' Jaelon Darden: No stats in Week 4 loss
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Darden logged six snaps on offense and one on special teams during the Buccaneers' 41-31 loss to the Chiefs in Week 4, but he did not draw a target or return a punt.
It was an extremely quiet night for Darden despite the fact Julio Jones exited the game after one second-half snap due to a knee issue and Breshad Perriman (knee/hamstring) was inactive. Darden's one usually dependable path to touches, punt returns, also failed to materialize, as the prolific Chiefs offense punted only once, which resulted in a fair catch by Darden. The 2021 fourth-round pick has just one reception this season, but the combination of Cole Beasley's retirement and the lingering injuries to both Jones and Perriman could serve to open up opportunity on offense in coming games.
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Buccaneers' Jaelon Darden: Flashes with one catch
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Darden secured his only target for 25 yards and returned three punts for 26 yards in the Buccaneers' 14-12 loss to the Packers on Sunday.
Darden logged a season-high 18 snaps from scrimmage with the Buccaneers down three receivers, and he flashed his speed on his one reception by getting upfield down the right sideline for a 25-yard gain. He also continued to put in his usual strong work on special teams, now averaging an impressive 8.9 yards per punt return on his eight runbacks. Despite the splash play on offense, Darden could be back to minimal involvement from scrimmage in Week 4 if Mike Evans (suspension) and Julio Jones (knee) return as expected.
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Buccaneers' Jaelon Darden: Ruled out with concussion
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Darden (concussion) won't return to Sunday's divisional-round matchup against the Rams, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.
Darden was hurt after taking a hit on a punt return during the fourth quarter, and he'll be unable to return for the final few minutes of the game. If the Buccaneers advance in the playoffs, Darden will have several steps to clear if he hopes to play in the NFC Championship Game.
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Buccaneers' Jaelon Darden: Being evaluated for a concussion
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Darden (head) left Sunday's divisional contest against the Rams and is being evaluated for a concussion, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.
Darden suffered the injury after being struck by Ben Skowronek on a punt return. If Darden is unable to return, Tyler Johnson will likely take over kick return duties while Scotty Miller handles punts. His absence shouldn't impact Tampa Bay's offensive plan.
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Buccaneers' Jaelon Darden: Cleared from COVID list
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Darden (illness) has been activated off the Buccaneers' reserve/COVID-19 list, Scott Smith of the team's official website reports.
Darden was placed on the COVID list prior to Week 16 and missed the team's last two games versus the Panthers and Jets as a result. He will now be free to return to practice and resume his usual role as a depth receiver and kick returner in Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Panthers.
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Buccaneers' Jaelon Darden: Plenty of snaps, little production
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Darden failed to bring in any of the three targets he logged over 41 snaps during the Buccaneers' 9-0 loss to the Saints on Sunday night. He returned two kickoffs for 33 yards and seven punts for 41 yards.
Darden's usage from scrimmage, which was at a career-high level, jumps off the page, even as the only touches he actually garnered came in his special-teams role. With Chris Godwin (knee) now gone for the remainder of the season and Mike Evans (hamstring) still uncertain for Week 16, the rookie could certainly be primed for another busy day of route running versus the Panthers in that contest. Whether that translates to much production remains to be seen, however -- Darden has just six receptions for 43 yards on 11 targets across eight games.
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Buccaneers' Jaelon Darden: Will play Sunday
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Darden has been cleared from concussion protocol and will play against the Bills on Sunday, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
After he was previously listed as questionable, Darden's return will provide a big boost to Tampa Bay's special teams unit as the 22-year-old is a talented kick returner. Additionally, Darden adds some depth at the wide receiver position for Buccaneers.
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Buccaneers' Jaelon Darden: Questionable for Sunday
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Darden (concussion) is questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Bills.
Darden was a full participant in every practice this week, but he still carries a questionable designation heading into the weekend. The 5-foot-8 wideout has mostly operated as a return specialist this season, and if he is unable to suit up Sunday, Tyler Johnson and Giovani Bernard will likely handle those duties again.
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Buccaneers' Jaelon Darden: Full practice Thursday
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Darden (concussion) was a full participant at Thursday's practice, Carmen Vitali of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
The 22-year-old picked up the head injury in Week 12 versus the Colts but appears like he will have a shot at being available for Sunday's matchup with the Falcons. He wore a non-contact jersey Thursday, so if he's able to take contact Friday, it would be an encouraging sign. Darden has operated mostly as a return specialist this season, racking up 212 kick-return yards and 87 yards on punts.
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Buccaneers' Jaelon Darden: Concussion confirmed
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Coach Bruce Arians said Monday that Darden has entered concussion protocol, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Darden racked up 66 kick-return yards before being knocked out of Sunday's 38-31 win over the Colts. If he is unable to clear concussion protocols before Week 13 at Atlanta, then Giovani Bernard is expected to handle kick-return duties, while Scotty Miller would likely handle punt returns.
