Bucs RB Doug Martin returns to practice for first time since Week 2 injury
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin participated in practice on Wednesday for the first time since injuring his hamstring in Week 2.
Martin participated in position drills and did some running.
Watch Martin back on the field below:
Tampa Bay is still without running back Jacquizz Rodgers, who sprained his foot almost two weeks ago against the Oakland Raiders. Antone Smith is also out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
• Power Rankings: Which big movers in the middle of the pack can stay hot?
Many fantasy football owners have held onto Martin despite the injury and that may soon pay off. The Buccaneers never placed him on the injured reserve and there was always a chance for him to return. Peyton Barber has stepped into Martin's role in his absence.
Here’s SI fantasy expert Michael Beller’s take:
Martin has cleared the first hurdle that stands between him and a return to the field for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 2. His participation on practice is the sort of sign his fantasy owners have been hoping to see for more than a month. It's no guarantee that he will play but, for now, let's assume he does. He will be playing for the first time since the middle of September after dealing with a hamstring injury that was only supposed to cost him a few weeks. That it shelved him for two months is reason enough to believe that, even if he does play, he will likely share the workload with Peyton Barber.
The Bears, Tampa Bay's opponent this week, have held running backs to 3.73 yards per carry and the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game. Just three running backs—Ezekiel Elliott, Lamar Miller and Ryan Mathews—have scored double-digit points against them, and Mathews only did so thanks to a pair of short-yardage touchdowns. If Martin plays for the Buccaneers, then he starts for his fantasy owners. It's as simple as that. Temper your expectations, however. Injury optimism is always dangerous, and the matchup may not be as great as it seems on its face. Think of Martin as a low-end RB2 this week.
Martin finished last season with 1,402 yards off 288 carries with six touchdowns.
Receiver Mike Evans was also in attendance at practice.
