The Buccaneers have had a hard time keeping running backs healthy this season and the latest addition to the injury rolls is Antone Smith, who won’t play again this season after hurting his knee last Thursday.
Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports that the Bucs will promote from within to replace Smith on the active roster. Russell Hansbrough will be coming up from the practice squad while Smith heads to injured reserve.
Hansbrough joined the Bucs as an undrafted free agent this offseason and saw action in Week Five during a short stay on the active roster. Peyton Barber and Mike James are the only healthy backs currently on Tampa’s roster, although coach Dirk Koetter expressed hope last week that Doug Martin, who hasn’t played since Week Two due to a hamstring injury, will be able to play in Week 10.
Auman points out that the Bucs also have to make a decision on adding wide receiver Louis Murphy to the active roster with his window to return from the physically unable to perform list closing.
