Doug Martin, Charles Sims will play
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin has been out since Week 8 with an ankle injury, but he will finally be back in the fold after wasting away on the inactive list and Lovie Smith’s doghouse. But after two underwhelming performances from Smith’s hand-picked RB of the future, Charles Sims, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that the Buccaneers problems in the running game are up front. Martin returned to practice this week and has a shot to lead the team in carries again, though that remains to be seen.
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The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that both Martin and Sims will play in today’s game against the Chicago Bears, which will likely be a heated one given the position both teams find themselves in and the fact that Smith will be coaching against his old team. Martin’s status could change if he suffers a setback, but that’s the only thing that could keep him out at this point. Both players are listed questionable with ankle injuries, but I would be surprised if either player is ruled inactive.
At this point, the Buccaneers safest running back Bobby Rainey, who is also a favorite of the coaching staff’s. Sims will continue to get opportunities to take over as the feature back, since the Bucs still love him and must view him as the player with the most upside. But the Bucs running game has problems that undermine the talent of their running backs, though it’s clear to me that Martin is still their most talented back; I don’t see how a former first-round pick’s monster rookie season is fluky. Or is he the running back version of Michael Clayton?