Doug Martin likely to return for Tampa Bay in Week 3

The Tamp Bay Buccaneers lost a heart-breaker to the St. Louis Rams to fall to 0-2 on the season as the team played without starting running back Doug Martin who has a knee injury, but the good news is the former first round pick is likely to return to the field in Week 3.

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Martin was banged up in the team’s Week 1 loss to the Carolina Panthers when he only managed to rush for nine yards on nine carries. He was held out in the 19-17 loss to the Rams, but the team didn’t suffer on the ground without him active as Bobby Rainey rushed for 144 yards on 22 carries for a 6.5 yards per carry average and a touchdown. Rainey also added three receptions for 30 yards.

Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith said if the team practiced on Monday that Martin would have been on the practice field suggesting that Martin will be officially listed as probable on the injury report and therefore likely he plays in the Week 3 game against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night.

#Bucs Smith said only 3 players would not have been able to practice today, which means Doug Martin is in play for Thursday night.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) September 15, 2014

Despite his struggles in Week 1, the Buccaneers are a better team with him healthy and on the field. The real problem has been the non-existent passing offense with Josh McCown at quarterback. Tampa Bay has the league’s No. 31 passing offense at 168.5 yards per game.

More injury-related good news for Tampa who has been ravaged by injuries this season, including All-Pro defensive tackle Gerald McCoy breaking his hand on Sunday is that defensive end Michael Johnson should also return to the lineup on Thursday after missing the game against the Rams with an ankle injury.

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Doug Martin injury update: Buccaneers RB likely to play Thursday vs Falcons?

By Patrick Schmidt | Sep 15, 2014