The list of miserable things to befall the Buccaneers this season got a little longer on Sunday with both a 31-23 loss to an undermanned Falcons team and a shoulder injury suffered by running back Doug Martin.
Martin was hit by Falcons safety William Moore while trying to catch a pass in the third quarter and didn’t return to the game after the injury. After the game, Martin said, via Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com, that X-rays of the shoulder looked “fine” and that he didn’t separate his shoulder on the play.
There’s still more evaluation to be done before making a determination on both the extent of the injury and the length of any absence for Martin, leaving the running back to “hope for the best.” With the Bucs back in action against the Panthers on Thursday night, even a less serious injury could wind up keeping Martin out of the lineup for at least Week Eight.
Mike James took over for Martin on Sunday and would likely remain in the role if Martin’s absence extends through Thursday’s game.