The Los Angeles Chargers added speed to their running back corps and on special teams Monday, signing former Philadelphia Eagle Kenjon Barner to a one-year deal.
Barner has appeared in 31 games for the Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles since entering the league in 2013. He's carried the ball 61 times for 260 yards, averaging 4.3 yards per attempt with two touchdowns, while catching 18 passes for 71 yards (4.4 ypc).
Barner set career-highs last season in games played (13), average yards per carry (4.8) and touchdowns (two) before a hamstring injury ended his season in early December. He also emerged as the Eagles' primary kickoff returner, setting career-highs in return average (30.8) and total yards (277).
Originally a sixth-round draft pick of the Panthers in 2013 out of Oregon, Barner appeared in eight games for Carolina as a rookie. He was traded to the Eagles the following summer, but was waived/injured at the end of the preseason. Once healthy following a short stint on the practice squad, he found his niche the past two seasons at running back and on special teams.
A native of Riverside, CA, the 5-9, 195-pound Barner appeared in 49 games with 20 starts during a standout collegiate career at Oregon. He left the Ducks ranked second in school history with 3,623 rushing yards and tied for second with 41 rushing touchdowns. Barner also recorded 54 receptions for 591 yards and seven touchdowns.
In addition, the Chargers also announced on Monday that exclusive rights free agent wide receiver Geremy Davis signed his contract tender.
The Chargers signed RB Kenjon Barner to a one-year deal on Monday. Take a look through photos of his career since entering the league in 2013.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenjon Barner (34) returns a kickoff against the Cincinnati Bengals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Cincinnati. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenjon Barner (34) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016.
(Tom DiPace via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenjon Barner (34) rushes during the game against the Green Bay Packers, Monday Nov. 28, 2016, Philadelphia. The Packers defeated the Eagles 27-13. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenjon Barner (34) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016.
(Tom DiPace via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenjon Barner warms up before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenjon Barner (34) rushes during the game against the Green Bay Packers, Monday Nov. 28, 2016, Philadelphia. The Packers defeated the Eagles 27-13. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenjon Barner (34) makes a tackle during the game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday Nov. 13, 2016, Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenjon Barner (34) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016.
(Tom DiPace via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenjon Barner #34 catches the ball during warm ups before the NFL game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Baltimore Ravens on December 18th 2016 in Baltimore. (Brian Garfinkel via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenjon Barner runs the ball against the Cleveland Browns during an NFL football game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenjon Barner (34) dives across the goal line for a touchdown as he is hit by New York Giants linebacker Keenan Robinson (57) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenjon Barner (34) on the sideline during an NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Chicago Bears Monday, September 19, 2016, in Chicago. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenjon Barner (34) runs for yardage in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday September 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pa. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenjon Barner (34) rushes against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday Sept. 25, 2016, Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Steelers 34-3. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenjon Barner (34) rushes against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday Sept. 25, 2016, Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Steelers 34-3. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenjon Barner (34), Sunday, August 16, 2015 Philadelphia, PA. The Eagles defeated the Colts 36-10. (AP Photo/Al Tielemans)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenjon Barner (34) watches pregame warmups before an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at the AT&T Stadium on November 8, 2015. The Eagles defeated the Cowboys 33-27 in overtime. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenjon Barner (34) in action prior to the preseason NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Running back Kenjon Barner (34) of the Philadelphia Eagles grabs a warmup pass before play against the Baltimore Ravens at Lincoln Financial Field August 22, 2015 in Philadelphia. The Eagles won 40 - 17. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) takes the field with running back Kenjon Barner (34) beside him during the first half of a the preseason NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Philadelphia. The Eagles won 17-9. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles' Kenjon Barner (34) scores a touchdown during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2015, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenjon Barner (34), Sunday, August 16, 2015 Philadelphia, PA. The Eagles defeated the Colts 36-10. (AP Photo/Al Tielemans)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenjon Barner (34) celebrates a touchdown run against the Pittsburgh Steelers during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Philadelphia, PA. The Eagles won 34-3. (Ed Mulholland/AP Images for Panini)
Carolina Panthers running back Kenjon Barner (25) runs with the ball during the NFL week 13 football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers won the game 27-6. (AP Photo/Joe Robbins)
Carolina Panthers running back Kenjon Barner (25) heads downfield during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale. The Cardinals won the game, 22-6. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Carolina Panthers running back Kenjon Barner (25) returns a first quarter kick 16 yards to the Panthers 34 yard line during the NFC Divisional Playoff NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014 in Charlotte, N.C. The 49ers won the game 23-10. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Carolina Panthers running back Kenjon Barner (25) looks up from the field with his helmet off during a preseason NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, August 17, 2014 in Charlotte, NC. The Panthers won the game 28-16. (AP Photo/Paul Jasienski)
Carolina Panthers running back Kenjon Barner (25) returns a kick off during a preseason NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, August 17, 2014 in Charlotte, NC. The Panthers won the game 28-16. (AP Photo/Paul Jasienski)
