Running back Doug Martin’s hamstring injury is expected to cost him about three weeks, NFL Media reported Wednesday.
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Week 3 of the National Football League season will get under away tomorrow, with the Jacoby Brissett-led New England Patriots (say that six times fast) taking on the Houston Texans at home. Peyton Barber and Jacquizz Rodgers round out the running back options on the active roster in Tampa.
Martin was the NFL’s second-leading rusher last season, and the Bucs built their offense around his ability to consistently accumulate yards on the ground.
Sims will take Martin’s starting role for the next three weeks in a tough stretch of opponents including the home opener against the 1-1 Los Angeles Rams and games against Super Bowl L participants, Denver Broncos (2-0) and Carolina Panthers (1-1).
Martin had an MRI on Tuesday.
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Charles Sims would be the lead back in Martin’s absence. After all, Tampa Bay could be looking at a 1-4 record at the conclusion of Week 5 – something few would have expected after an impressive showing against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1. After rushing for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns as a rookie in 2012, he played in just 17 games the next two seasons combined.
