It’s always risky acquiring an injured player in fantasy football; especially those who have experienced a soft tissue injury (hamstring) as Doug Martin has, but with the Buccaneers placing fellow running back Charles Sims on injured reserve and having to call upon veteran journeyman Jacquizz Rodgers to start in Week 5 it may be time to make an exception. Martin has been out of the lineup since a Week 2 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals and his presence has been sorely missed.
Tampa Bay is struggling mightily on defense and second year quarterback Jameis Winston is pressing behind an offensive line that struggles in pass protection. After averaging 4.8 yards per carry in 2015, the Bucs have mustered a meager 3.4 yards per tout through 4 games in 2016. A healthy, or semi-healthy Doug Martin should help improve the running game and create some balance on offense making the lives of Winston and the offensive line easier.
Tampa Bay has a Week 6 bye and the expectation is that Martin will be a go in Week 7. While, it’s an optimistic thought process rather than pragmatic; for the right price it could be a very shrewd move for fantasy owners to acquire Martin as his role is slated to expand in the passing game considering Sims’ lack of availability and the Bucs’ general lack of weapons in the passing game.