Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Peyton Hillis has fallen to fourth on depth chart

December 23, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Peyton Hillis (40) runs for yardage in the second half of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Arrowhead Stadium. The Colts won 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

With Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting running back Doug Martin nursing a nasty head injury, extra focus has been put on the Bucs’ running back situation.

Former Cleveland Browns starter Peyton Hillis, who not that long ago scored double digit touchdown numbers and a cover spot on the annual Madden video game release, was thought to potentially be second on the depth chart behind Martin but not according to ESPN.

The Worldwide Leader says that Hillis has fallen all the way to fourth on the Bucs’ depth chart and isn’t expected to see much time if Martin isn’t healthy come Week 1 – that’s assuming he even makes the roster:

"Running back Doug Martin sat out, and that gave Leonard more playing time. Leonard continued to look good. He could end up as the top backup to Martin. The Bucs brought in veteran Peyton Hillis, but Leonard and rookie Mike James appear to be ahead of Hillis on the depth chart."

Rough day for former Cleveland Brown stars as returner Josh Cribbs was released by the Oakland Raiders this morning, a scenario Hillis could be experiencing in the next week.

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