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

Updates from Sunday, Nov. 23

Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com confirms Doug Martin's status for today:

Updates from Friday, Nov. 21

Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times has the latest on Martin's status:

Updates from Thursday, Nov. 20

Rick Brown of the Ledger Media Group provides an update on Doug Martin's status:

"

#Bucs coach Lovie Smith held out LB Lavonte David because of his hamstring. CB Alterraun Verner and RB Doug Martin were again limited.

— Rick Brown (@LedgeronBucs) November 20, 2014"

Updates from Friday, Nov. 14

Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com has the latest on Martin's status:

Updates from Sunday, Nov. 9

Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com confirms Doug Martin will not play in Week 10:

Updates from Friday, Nov. 7

Roy Cummings of The Tampa Bay Times has the latest on Martin's status:

Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times has more:

Updates from Sunday, Nov. 2

Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com confirms Doug Martin will not play in Week 9:

Updates from Friday, Oct. 31

Pat McManamon of ESPN.com reports Doug Martin's status for Sunday's game:

Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times has the latest on Martin's status:

Updates from Thursday, Oct. 30

Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times has an update on Doug Martin's injury:

Updates from Wednesday, Oct. 29

Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times has an update on Doug Martin's status:

Original Text

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin suffered an ankle injury and was removed from the team's Week 8 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.   

Jenna Laine of Sports Talk FLA provided details on Martin's injury:

Last season, Martin played in just six games due to a torn labrum. He also suffered a minor leg injury during the season opener against the Carolina Panthers.

During his lone season of full health in his rookie year, Martin was a breakout star in 2012. Tampa Bay's lead back carried the ball 319 times for 1,454 yards, a total of 1,926 yards from scrimmage and 11 rushing touchdowns. 

But his first start in 2013 didn't go quite as planned, per Kevin O'Donnell of Fox 13 and Scott Fowler of The Charlotte Observer:

Despite the rough start to the year and the subsequent leg injury, Martin had reason for optimism prior to the season. First-year Bucs head coach Lovie Smith referenced Martin and teammate Bobby Rainey, per Fred Goodall of The Associated Press.

"With Mike James going down with an injury and with Charles going down, those guys need to play at a certain level," Smith said. "They're both good players, but Doug is our bell cow. He likes that role. He's had a good camp, hasn't missed a beat."

USA TODAY Sports

If Martin is forced to miss time, it might be Rainey who has to take over the "bell cow" role now. He has split carries in the backfield throughout the season and thrived when given the chance.

Rainey was acquired from the Cleveland Browns last season and had 150 carries for 566 yards and six total touchdowns. After posting two games of 125 rushing yards or more, Rainey proved he's able to carry the load in Martin's absence.

Depending on the severity of Martin's injury, the Bucs might need to rely on Rainey yet again. Thanks to weapons like Vincent Jackson, Mike Evans and Austin Seferian-Jenkins in the passing game, Tampa Bay has other options offensively too.

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