Charles Sims will not play today
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers activated rookie running back Charles Sims off of the short-term injured reserve yesterday, and it seemed like the former West Virginia Mountaineers standout would be a lock to play in today’s game against the Cleveland Browns. More experienced RB Bobby Rainey was expected to get the start, but it seemed like Sims would get a nice chunk of carries his way, especially on third downs (he’s known for his pass-catching ability and has been compared to Matt Forte, which is probably one of the reasons why Lovie Smith loves him).
More from Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- 2023 NFL Season: NFC South shaping up to be an exciting division
- 2023 NFL Season: 3 teams who are already doomed
- Ranking the 5 best NFL uniform changes for the 2023 season
- Baker Mayfield gets big endorsement from Buccaneers teammate
- 2023 NFL Season: 3 major in-season trades that could go down
Earlier today, ESPN’s Adam Caplan raised the possibility of Sims being held out today despite getting activate yesterday, and colleague Adam Schefter is now reporting that the Buccaneers will indeed hold Sims out today against the Browns. They are being cautious with a rookie they are extremely high on, and it means that he will get an extra week to rest after his activation from the short-term IR and will also get to make his regular season debut against an easier defense in the rival Atlanta Falcons.
Schefter reports that second-year back Mike James, who showed some promise last year, will be Rainey’s backup. Rainey is another RB the Buccaneers coaching staff likes, and he could end up backing up Sims, who has a great chance of becoming the Bucs starting back, by the conclusion of the 2014 campaign. For now, though, Sims will be out, Doug Martin will be out, and Rainey and James will lead the Buccaneers running game against Cleveland.