Running back Doug Martin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers injured his shoulder a few weeks ago, and will inevitably require surgery. However, Martin and the Bucs are carefully deciding when or if the running back even needs the procedure. According to ESPN,
"Martin said Wednesday he’s been working with the team’s training staff and feels like the shoulder is progressing.“It’s just a matter of dealing with Doug and our trainers and our doctors,” coach Greg Schiano said. “Is he OK to play? Is it in his best interest? Does it affect him negatively if we do the surgery at the end of the year or now? If, at any moment, it affects him negatively then we’ll do (surgery) now. I think that’s what we’re working through as an organization, like what is best for everybody involved. The rehab on that is not a long rehab. It’s not one of those deals where he’s going to be out six months or anything like that.”"
At this point, I believe the Bucs should jsut give Martin the surgery now. The Buccaneers are 0-8, and don’t have a chance of making the playoffs. If the Bucs get the surgery done now, Martin could be back well before next year’s season begins, which is exactly what they would want to happen.