Buccaneers running back Doug Martin was limited in last Sunday’s win over the Chargers after getting “bent back” in the second half of the game, but all seems to be well physically now as Martin does not make an appearance on the team’s injury report for Wednesday’s practice.
His role in the offense may still be curtailed this week, however. Jacquizz Rodgers returned to action in San Diego after missing four games with a foot injury and made plays on the ground and as a receiver down the stretch. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken suggested that he’ll get more opportunities against the Saints as the team looks for better results out of the backfield.
“It was good to get him back,” Monken said, via ESPN.com. “I would assume he’ll only be better this week in a little more of an expanded role. ... We have been getting healthier at running back, which is a good sign. We’ve just got to do it better. We’ve got to do a better job on the perimeter blocking. We’ve got to do a better job up front, a better job seeing the holes.”
The Bucs are also expected to get Charles Sims back into the lineup this week after his stay on injured reserve, expanding the options available to Monken as he tries to get the ground game churning in Tampa.