The Buccaneers drafted running back Charles Sims in the third round and he was ticketed almost immediately for a role on passing downs.
Nothing that Sims has done since the draft has hurt the feeling that Sims can play a productive role for Tampa and there’s even been some talk, fueled by praise from Bucs coach Lovie Smith and others in the organization, that he could take a few carries away from Doug Martin as a rookie. Any further buzz is going to have to wait until Sims can back on the field, though.
Sims hurt his ankle in Tuesday’s practice, an injury that the team said wasn’t particularly serious after the fact. It’s serious enough that Sims is in a walking boot on Thursday, however, and Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times thinks that the boot is a signal that Sims won’t be on the field against the Dolphins on Saturday night.
The fact that he’s not on crutches is a good sign that Sims avoided the dreaded high ankle sprain and the team’s cautiousness is a good sign that they have plans for him during the regular season. Those shouldn’t change as long as his absence doesn’t drag on too long.