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Buccaneers list RB Doug Martin as doubtful, expected to activate RB Charles Sims on Saturday
Buccaneers running back Doug Martin hasn't done much of anything this season for his fantasy owners, and it's almost guaranteed that he will do exactly nothing in Week 9. Martin is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Browns due to an ankle injury that forced him to miss the entire practice week and had him sporting a walking boot until Thursday.Bobby Rainey is expected to get the start in place of Martin. Rainey has averaged 4.6 yards per carry while Martin has averaged just 2.9. Martin hasn't gained more than 45 rushing yards or 75 total yards in any game while also being dogged by multiple injuries.But Rainey should have some backfield company in rookie third-rounder Charles Sims, who has been out since undergoing ankle surgery in August. ESPN's Adam Caplan tweeted Friday that Sims will likely be activated from short-term injured reserve before 4 p.m. Eastern on Saturday.
Martin is absolutely unplayable in fantasy, regardless of his health. He's not running well; his offensive line isn't helping much; he's not catching many passes or scoring touchdowns. The only things keeping him on fantasy rosters are his name value and presumed starting job.But that last point might be changing. Rainey has certainly displayed more life in his legs, and maybe he takes the starting gig and literally runs with it against Cleveland's pedestrian ground defense.But everyone in the fantasy world wants to talk about Sims. He was one of the most discussed rookies in the preseason, and his coaches gushed about him whenever they had the chance. He is a well-built runner at 6-foot, 215 pounds and a very adept receiver. With Martin stinking up the joint, fantasy owners are looking to Sims to be that diamond-in-the-rough RB who can carry them down the stretch and possibly as soon as this week.Everyone seems to be all-in on Sims despite the fact that he has yet to play in a regular-season game. My question to all of those people: What's the rush? Why can't we let this kid actually show us what he can do -- if he can do anything at all on that awful team -- before inserting him into our lineups? Rainey has been just fine this season. The Bucs should trust him to lead their backfield. He looks like a useful flex option in Week 9. It would be very unwise for Tampa Bay to just thrust the rookie into the spotlight straight out of the gate, but many people have asked me whether they should play Rainey or Sims this week.To me, the answer is obviously Rainey. Heck, Sims isn't even on the active roster yet. I know this note is about that specific expectation, but it hasn't happened yet. So right now, those questions contain even more disparity. I think Sims will have his moments this season, and he should be added in all 12-team leagues. But starting him in fantasy right away? Slow down, please. We are getting way ahead of ourselves. The Buccaneers are putrid, and Sims is a complete unknown at this level.
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