The Buccaneers had an unexpected addition to their inactive list at Thursday’s practice when running back Doug Martin sat out after practicing on Wednesday.
The reason for Martin’s absence wasn’t immediately known, but coach Lovie Smith gave an update when he spoke to reporters later in the day. Smith said that Martin injured his knee during Wednesday’s practice and suggested the team held him out for precautionary reasons.
“Should be OK,” Smith said, via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times.
Martin has run 46 times for 176 yards in the first three weeks of the season. The 3.8 yards per carry are in line with what Martin managed while playing in 17 games over the last two injury-plagued seasons. If Smith’s prediction about Martin’s status proves incorrect, Charles Sims, who has 61 rushing yards and 78 receiving yards so far this year, would step into a larger role against the Panthers.