Charles Sims set to get more playing time
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are smitten with rookie running back Charles Sims, whom they’ve eased into the action ever since activating him off of the short-term injured reserve a couple of weeks ago. Head coach Lovie Smith seems to view Sims as a Matt Forte-type player, and that’s who Sims was compared to during the pre-draft process. When watching his pass-catching ability, the comparison starts to become relevant, though he will have to prove consistent rushing prowess in order to come near that All-Pro precipice.
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It sounds like the journey will start today, as ESPN’s Adam Caplan reports that we should expect Sims to receive more playing time than he did last week in his debut against the Atlanta Falcons. Sims couldn’t do much, as the Buccaneers offensive line was pulverized by the Atlanta Falcons front seven, as that unit easily played their best game of the season. The former West Virginia standout could only muster 23 yards on eight carries, and he made it an even ten touches in his NFL debut with two receptions for 17 yards.
He’ll eat into more of Bobby Rainey’s touches today, and Sims’s all-around ability provides the Buccaneers offense with plenty of value. Mike Evans has already emerged as a star talent, and the Buccaneers will hope that Sims can also give the team some more reasons to be optimistic about the future ahead for their offense. The Bucs are fully expected to give Sims every chance to take the feature back role from Rainey, though the Bucs also seem to like his game.