NFL Player News

Martin is leaving the Buccaneers in order to enter a treatment facility, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports. "I was notified last week of a four-game suspension for violating the league's drug policy," Martin wrote in a statement. "I am starting the suspension immediately so I can enter a treatment facility and receive the help I truly need."

In particular, Martin violated the NFL's policy regarding performance-enhancing substances, precipitating a suspension that will begin this Sunday and extend into next season. Under the rare circumstance that the Bucs earn a playoff berth, the ban will account for those contests. However, he'll more than likely miss the first three games of the 2017 campaign. Considering his bulky salary, he'll likely be handed the No. 1 gig at running back upon his return, but Charles Sims and potentially Jacquizz Rodgers, an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, will cover for Martin during his absence.

Martin is "stepping away from the team to take care of personal issues," Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

On both a professional and now a personal level, Martin has turned in an undesirable season rife with ineffectiveness on the ground. Some of the lack of success may be the result of a hamstring injury that forced six absences earlier in the campaign. However, his surprise DNP on Saturday wasn't the result of an injury, so something else in his life was to blame for the downgrade. While neither the Bucs nor Martin is obligated to touch on the nature of his "personal issues," the running back is an unlikely candidate to be jettisoned due to the five-year, $35.75 million deal he inked in the offseason. In the meantime, the backfield will be powered by Jacquizz Rodgers in Week 17 due to Charles Sims' (pectoral) placement on injured reserve Wednesday.

The Buccaneers placed Sims on injured reserve due to a pectoral injury, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Head coach Dirk Koetter relayed that Sims sustained the ailment during Saturday's loss in New Orleans, but there's uncertainty regarding whether surgery will be required to attain full health. In any case, the Buccaneers will be down their top-2 running backs in the season finale, as Koetter has already ruled out Martin for Week 17. With Sims and Martin out of the picture, Jacquizz Rodgers will handle lead back duties Sunday against the Panthers. Sims himself has been dealt an ugly hand on the injury front this season, landing on IR for the second time after missing eight contests early in the campaign due to a knee concern.

Martin was an excused absentee from Wednesday's practice, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Coming off Martin's benching Saturday, head coach Dirk Koetter has already said the running back won't play in the regular season finale. Martin's DNPs to wrap up the season could be a sign the Bucs intend to move on in the offseason, but in the meantime, Jacquizz Rodgers is primed to serve as the No. 1 RB, with Charles Sims handling pass-catching duties.

Gordon (hip/knee) participated in practice Wednesday without a brace on his left knee, ESPN's Eric D. Williams reports.

Gordon's practice participation Wednesday (officially listed as limited) supports the running back's assertion that he has a chance to return to action for the Chargers' season finale against the Chiefs on Sunday. Per Gordon himself, a call on that front is viewed as a game-time decision. With 13 games under his belt this season, the 2015 first-rounder has scored a total of 12 TDs and needs just three more yards to hit the 1,000-yard rushing mark.

Sims' role will likely remain the same despite the news that Doug Martin will be inactive for the season finale on Sunday against the Panthers.

Sims slotted into his customary complementary back role on Saturday versus the Saints despite Martin having been declared inactive for that contest, and that scenario is likely to repeat itself in Week 17 versus the Panthers. Presumed starter Jacquizz Rodgers has proven capable of handling a full workload, having tallied 30 and 26 carries in two respective starts earlier in the season in Martin's stead. Meanwhile, for the most part, Sims has proven to be most effective when afforded single-digit carries and five-to-seven targets in the passing game. A slight bump from the three totes that Sims received against the Saints is a possibility, but Rodgers should handle the majority of rushing touches, with rookie Peyton Barber also around to potentially take on any short-yardage work.

Rodgers is slated for a starter's workload in Sunday's season finale versus the Panthers with the news that Doug Martin will be inactive for the contest.

The veteran back will thus have an opportunity to build on a solid 15-carry, 63-yard, one-touchdown outing against the Saints in Week 16, a game in which he also notched two receptions for 15 yards. Rodgers tallied a pair of 100-yard efforts in the two games earlier this season when he received over 20 carries, and could be in line for another robust workload in Week 17 against a Panthers team with nothing left to play for.

Kelley (knee) was spotted warming up with his teammates prior to Wednesday's practice, Brian McNally of 106.7 The Fan reports.

A knee injury kept Kelley on the sidelines for most of the second half of Saturday's win over the Bears, but an MRI on Monday revealed no structural damage. The fact that Kelley looks to be practicing in some capacity Wednesday is an encouraging sign, but it remains to be seen how his knee will hold up to increased activity. Wednesday's practice report will give a clearer picture of his progress. If Kelley is limited heading into Sunday, look for Chris Thompson and Mack Brown to see additional snaps out of the Washington backfield.

Redd (suspension) was reinstated by the NFL on Tuesday and subsequently waived by the Redskins, Scout.com's Ben Standig reports.

Redd had been suspended since April for violating the league's substance abuse policy. The Redskins immediately released him upon his reinstatement.

Thomas rushed for 19 yards on three carries in Sunday's loss to Kansas City.

The three touches were a season-high for Thompson. The former undrafted free agent never got many looks at fullback after rookie Andy Janovich went on injured reserve nor has he gotten many opportunities at running back. Though Sunday should be all about preparing for 2017, it'd be a surprise if Thompson got much usage as Denver will almost surely want to get a long last look at rookie Devontae Booker.