The Buccaneers welcomed back star running back Doug Martin.
Welcome back, Doug.
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) October 6, 2017
He didn’t play the whole game. In fact, he ended the contest with just 13 carries, which isn’t very much considering how well he was running.
His first touch back from his suspension went for seven impressive yards, and it was a sign of more things to come.
Leaving Week 5, Martin has 74-yards in his season and one touchdown. He had a long run of 17-yards, and averaged 5.7 yards per carry.
Jacquizz Rodgers got three carries, and gained two yards. Charles Sims had one carry for three yards.
Sims also brought in five catches for 31-yards, and was missed on a wheel route early in the game which – theoretically – could have changed the course of the entire game.
Rodgers also brought in a catch for 13-yards, and Martin had one even though he should have had one, if not two, more.
Ultimately, the running backs didn’t hurt the team, but they weren’t allowed to put the team on their backs either.
Who is to blame, is a debate for another time and medium, but for now let’s just close this slide with the celebration of Martin’s return.
Welcome back, @Dougmartin22. https://t.co/3867Zegkuj
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 6, 2017