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TAMPA, Fla. -- By all outward appearances, Doug Martin is Tampa Bay's featured running back. He's taking reps with the starting offense and working as if he is preparing to play in the Buccaneers' regular-season opener at Miami on Sept. 10. But the reality is that Martin will miss the first three games, serving the remainder of his suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing drugs.
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The Bucs will go with a committee approach at running back early in the season, using Jacquizz Rodgers, Charles Sims, Peyton Barber and rookie Jeremy McNichols. Since the suspension, the team has taken a "wait and see" approach with Martin; his return to the team is not guaranteed when he is eligible to come back to work Sept. 25.
It's unlikely the team would carry five running backs on the 53-man roster.
"I'm going to approach this like any other season. I will be out for three games; that's the reality of the situation. During those few weeks I'm going to prepare myself to get my legs back under me and prepare to play," Martin said Sunday.
"We've still got to get through camp and my people and I will come up with a regimen to stay in shape. ... It's my first time doing it. And my last time."
Martin always has performed well with a carrot in front of him. As a rookie in 2012, he rushed for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns. When the Bucs failed to pick up their fifth-year club option in 2015, Martin was the NFL's second-leading rusher with 1,402 yards and six TDs.
"I got a chip on my shoulder," Martin said. "In the offseason, I just worked my butt off. I have a lot to owe to this team and I can't wait to get back out there."
Rodgers figures to be the primary ball-carrier in the first month of the season. A year ago, he was claimed off waivers from the Chicago Bears and was quickly pressed into action after Martin suffered a hamstring injury in Week 2 at Arizona.
Rodgers lost about seven pounds in the offseason and believes that will give him more endurance at the start of the regular season.
"Eating better, for sure," Rodgers said. "You know, during the offseason, just working on speed drills and things like that to help me on the field."
Rodgers had back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances at San Francisco and at Carolina last season, finishing with a 4.3-yard average. Rodgers spent most of his career as a third-down back, but with Martin out, that role will be served by Sims and McNichols.
Bucs coach Dirk Koetter was asked if Rodgers could be the Bucs' primary ball-carrier all season.
"I don't see why not," Koetter said. "That's hard for any back to do. Backs take a pounding out there. Right now we're just worried about getting to Miami on September 10. We have good depth at running back. It's going to be fine, it's going to work out."
