Martin's teammates blindsided by rehab trip, remain supportive

On Wednesday, the NFL world was surprised to hear that Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin was suspended for a drug violation and was entering rehab.

His teammates were just as shocked as everyone else, if not more.

Martin was held out of last week's game for mysterious reasons and reportedly left the Buccaneers facility Wednesday to deal with personal matters. While he won't be available for his team's Week 17 finale as they attempt to make good on their slim playoff hopes, Martin's teammates are remaining supportive of their running back.

"Nobody knew," offensive lineman Evan Smith told ESPN's Jenna Laine. "Nobody is mad at Doug. We don't want anybody to fall on hard times, and if they do, that's kind of a big part of the locker room - we're a big brotherhood and we all pick each other up."

"It definitely came as a surprise ... (It's been) very, very hard. It's an unfortunate situation," wide receiver Russell Shepard said. "We just wish him well, (to) get himself together - whatever he needs, just to take his time. We love Doug. (He's) a great person, a great teammate. We just wish him the best and hope everything works out for the better."

Head coach Dirk Koetter said it is an "important step" and a "positive thing" for Martin to be entering himself into rehab. Smith, Martin's teammate since 2014, commended the fifth-year pro for being able to admit when he needed help.

I'm just glad he saw a situation where he needed help and he went and did it," Smith said. "A lot of us in the league, maybe our egos, our personalities, us thinking how we've gotten where we (are) - we've done it on our own, we've done it through hard work. It takes a big man to step up and say, 'I need help.'"