Buccaneers' Charles Sims: Locked in as key piece in Tampa

Sims (pectoral) will return as a key component of the Tampa Bay backfield, while teammate Doug Martin (suspension) faces a more uncertain future, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis:

Martin's suspension cost him $7 million in guarantees, making it more palatable for the Buccaneers to simply release him in the wake of an ineffective season that was plagued by both injuries and the suspension. Even if he sticks around, Martin will miss the first three games, and then may have to re-prove himself to the team. Sims also saw his 2016 campaign marred by injuries, limiting him to 75 touches (24 catches) in only seven games. He landed on injured reserve with a pectoral injury prior to Week 17, but there's been nothing to suggest the ailment will be a factor for the upcoming season, which means Sims should be locked into his usual role as the passing-down back. He'll have the potential for a bit more than that -- especially if Martin is released or ineffective -- but the Bucs also have Jacquizz Rodgers and Peyton Barber in the mix for carries. Given Sims' injury history, Rodgers' middling track record and Barber's inexperience, the Bucs may also look to upgrade via the draft.