The Buccaneers have said all offseason that the envision more than one running back doing most of the damage against opposing defenses, but those plans took a hit when rookie Charles Sims suffered an ankle injury that will cost him at least the first nine weeks of the NFL season.
The injury should open the door for Mike James and Bobby Rainey to compete for a spot in the rotation with starter Doug Martin in Tampa Bay. Through one preseason game Rainey has 25 yards on six carries and James has 12 yards on three carries. James has a 20-yard catch while Rainey hasn't caught a ball yet. Both backs had experience running the ball last season with the Bucs and each caught a few passes, but James got the chance first and played well until getting hurt. Then Rainey came in and did well to close out the season.
It's too soon to pick one of these guys as a handcuff to Martin for Fantasy but because Rainey saw playing time before James in their first preseason game we'd give him the nod for now.