Ke’Shawn Vaughn‘s time buried on Tampa Bay’s running back depth chart has come to an end. The Buccaneers announced on Friday that he has been placed on waivers.
As a result of the move, Vaughn can now be claimed by any interested team. Failing that, he will become a free agent. Unless he stays in Tampa Bay via the practice squad after clearing waivers, today’s news marks an end to his time with the team after being drafted in the third round in 2020.
Since then, Vaughn has been unable to carve out a signficant role in the Bucs’ backfield. His total carries remained relatively consistent through his first three seasons (26, 36, 17), but his workload had stagnated again in 2023. The 26-year-old has recorded 24 rushes this season, having found himself a healthy scratch for the past two months. Tampa Bay will move on rather than seeing Vaughn’s rookie contract expire at the end of the season.
The Vanderbilt product could get a head start on finding a new home in the near future, although his market on waivers or as a free agent will no doubt be limited. Vaughn has totaled 384 yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns in his career, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. He has added 14 catches for 81 yards and an additional score in the passing game in his limited opportunities. Tampa Bay has struggled to run the ball in recent years in particular, but the team is prepared to move forward with its other options on the RB depth chart.
That includes 2022 third-rounder Rachaad White, who split time with Leonard Fournette last season. The latter was released this offseason, paving the way for the former to handle undisputed lead back duties. White comfortably leads the Bucs in rushing this season with 745 yards, adding 419 through the air. Veteran Chase Edmonds and undrafted rookie Sean Tucker are in place as complementary options, and their availability and performances during the year have made Vaughn expendable.
Sitting at 6-7, Tampa Bay is in a three-way tie atop the NFC South. The division could send a second team to the postseason depending on how the wild-card race shakes out, so the Buccaneers will be team to watch down the stretch. Vaughn will not play a role in the end to their season and any potential playoff action, though.
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