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Doug Martin expected to be out three weeks

By Andre Pruitt

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 27: Running back Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball against the Chicago Bears in the first second quarter at Raymond James Stadium on December 27, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff McBride/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 27: Running back Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball against the Chicago Bears in the first second quarter at Raymond James Stadium on December 27, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff McBride/Getty Images) /
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Tampa Buccaneers starting running back Doug Martin is expected to be out three weeks

Week 3 of the NFL season will get under away tomorrow, with the Jacoby Brissett-led New England Patriots (say that six times fast) taking on the Houston Texans at home. With it still being early in the season, we have seen a bevy of injuries to starting running backs, including Arian Foster, Thomas Rawls, Ameer Abdullah, Johnathan Stewart, Adrian Peterson, and Doug Martin.

Martin is expected to be out about three weeks, according to Ian Rapoport. “The Muscle Hamster” was seemingly struggling this season, following a bounce-back season in which he rushed for over 1,400 yards and six touchdowns.

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Martin had only amassed 85 yards on the ground through the season’s first two games, and had yet to reach the end zone. The Buccaneers will now turn to third-year man, Charles Sims, to lead their rushing attack and provide a dual-threat compliment to Jameis Winston.

Sims, who is known more as a change-of-pace third-down back, will have his work cut out for him over the next three weeks. Not only will the Bucs face a tough L.A. Rams defense this week; they face the seemingly unstoppable Denver Broncos at home next week and will travel to Carolina the following week, to face a vaunted Panthers defense.

The Buccaneers brass can only but hope Martin’s injury will not linger past three weeks. After all, Tampa Bay could be looking at a 1-4 record at the conclusion of Week 5 — something few would have expected after an impressive showing against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1.

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Injuries seem to be recurring theme for Martin, who has played a full 16-game slate twice in his five-year career, including this season.

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