Doug Martin Injury: Updates on Buccaneers Star's Ribs and Return

Tampa Bay Buccaneers star running back Doug Martin is dealing with bruised ribs but is ready to return to the field. 

Continue for updates.

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Martin Active vs. Browns

Friday, Aug. 26

The Buccaneers did not list Martin among the team's inactives for Friday's game vs. Cleveland.

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Latest on Martin's Practice Status

Sunday, Aug. 21 

Roy Cummings of the Sporting News reported the Buccaneers expect Martin to return to practice this week. 

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Inconsistent Martin Crucial to Bucs Offense

Martin, 27, has had an up-and-down career since the Bucs selected him with the 31st overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

He burst onto the scene in his rookie year, rushing for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns while also catching 49 passes for 472 yards and an additional score. But two injury-plagued seasons followed, as Martin appeared in just 17 games from 2013 to 2014 and rushed for only 950 yards and three touchdowns.

Last year he returned to the top form he showed off in 2012, however, recording 1,673 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns. That earned him a five-year, $35.75 million contract extension with $15 million guaranteed.

It also re-established Martin as a crucial pillar of Tampa Bay's offense, along with quarterback Jameis Winston, wide receivers Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson and tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins.

Martin is an explosive, game-breaking running back who gives the Bucs a dangerous playmaker out of the backfield. When healthy, he's capable of being one of the better running backs in football. 

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