The Buccaneers auditioned free agent running back Charcandrick West, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), but Tampa Bay didn’t sign him following the workout, tweets Greg Auman of The Athletic.
Tampa Bay is currently fielding one of the league’s worst rushing attacks, as the club ranks dead last in yards per attempt and 30th in Football Outsides’ rushing DVOA. Peyton Barber has handled the bulk of the carries for the Buccaneers, but he hasn’t topped 35 yards since Week 1. Rookie Ronald Jones was finally active in Week 4, and Jacquizz Rodgers has managed most of Tampa’s passin game work, but neither has been overly effective.
The Chiefs released West earlier this year, and although he subsequently latched on with the Jets, he lasted less than a month in New York before getting cut again. The 27-year-old West’s most productive campaign came in 2015, when he managed 160 carries for 634 yards and four touchdowns, but his rushing role with Kansas City had been greatly reduced in recent seasons. While he played more than 500 offensive snaps from 2016-17, West handled only 106 total carries, including just 18 last year.
West has seen more action in the receiving game, as he’s posted at least 20 receptions in three consecutive seasons. However, he hasn’t been very efficient with his touches, as he finished 57th among 62 running backs in FO’s receiving DVOA.