Buccaneers training camp battle breakdowns: Third running back

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 18: Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 18: Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 18: Doug Martin
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 18: Doug Martin

Who will  emerge as the Buccaneers third running back?

We all know the story of Buccaneers running back Doug Martin by now. Despite the big reviews from spring football, how he will look when he gets on the field is still anybody’s guess. We will see him during the preseason and then again starting in week four. Will he remain on the team? Will he regain his old form? Bucs fans, your guess is as good as mine.

But that is a discussion best left for another day. Jacquizz Rodgers will most likely get the starting nod for the first three weeks, with Martin, at least for a while, coming back into his role as the starter. That would push Rodgers into the role of the backup, the guy giving Martin a few plays off when he needs them. Rodgers will need to be prominent as they will want to work Martin in with caution when he returns from suspension.

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The question of the day is about the backs behind Martin and Rodgers. Training camp has a battle brewing at the running back position. That is the battle for third running back, or the primary backup to Martin and Rodgers.

Following the late rounds of the draft, this battle involves a clear incumbent and a challenger to the throne. Ironically, the challenger comes from the same college as a guy he could dethrone some day. But for now, he enters the ring in the battle for third running back.

As we have been doing over the past several days, let’s break this matchup down and look at how it might turn out when the Bucs break camp.

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