The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could have a running back issue on their hands. Eight games into the season and that could be a welcoming note considering the team is still searching for their first win. Aso f now, Mike James is making do with what he has to work with, but Doug Martin could be returning sooner than expected which could give the Buccaneers an offensive boost they have been waiting for.
Martin suffered a torn labrum in his shoulder that Greg Schiano announced would eventually require surgery. However, that is eventually and the running back wants to play now. The question now becomes whether the team should play it safe or see if Martin can now contribute to getting Tampa Bay some wins.
"We wouldn't bring him back unless he can be very effective," Schiano said, via the Tampa Bay Tribune. "He's going to need to get it repaired. It doesn't matter if he does it now or he does it at the end of the year. If he can function, then we want him to (play). If he can't function at a high level then we'll shut him down."
Heading into Week 10, James is proving to be a solid option for Tampa Bay leaving many to believe the team should opt to just play it safe. The rookie had a breakout game against the Seattle Seahawks where he rushed for 158 total yards. He looked just as impressive as Martin once looked, if not better.
Throughout the season, James has improved in all areas of the game, standing out in pass protection for quarterback Mike Glennon among other things. He is averaging upwards of 5.6 yards per carry and has added a new level to the rather vanilla offense the Buccaneers are operating under.
Martin intends on playing against the Miami Dolphins after missing the last two games, but is it worth it? Tampa Bay has no wins and the chances they get one soon are slim. The team appears ready to reap the benefits of early draft picks and rebuild for next year. While Glennon is proving to be a relatively talented quarterback, the team is struggling in more areas than one.
Fantasy owners should not read too much into the Martin return. The running back was largely unproductive as a starter and even if he is on the field, the team will limit his time with the injury. Stick with James.
