Coach Lovie Smith stated Thursday that Sims is "making progress," but Smith is unsure "if he'll be ready to go this week," Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Coach Lovie Smith stated Thursday that Sims is "making progress," but Smith is unsure "if he'll be ready to go this week," Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis:

Smith will ultimately make the call late in the week, meaning Friday's injury report could reveal Sims' potential availability. The Buccaneers' running back situation is currently clouded by Doug Martin's ankle injury, which has kept him sidelined at practice both Wednesday and Thursday. The development leaves Bobby Rainey and Mike James as the sole healthy options, and has opened the door for Sims to find a role right off the bat, if the rookie is in fact activated from the IR/designated-to-return list.