Bobby Rainey

Bucs coach Lovie Smith has called Doug Martin his bell cow back.

But with the game on the line Sunday, the Bucs with the ball and driving for the winning score, it was Bobby Rainey on the field.

Yes, Martin had his knee dinged up earlier, but Lovie Smith insisted last night that Martin was healthy in the fourth quarter and Rainey was a tactical choice.

“Doug did go down with a little minor injury there, so we had to make a change, and from there he was able to come back and he was ready to go,” Lovie said on Total Access on WDAE-AM 620. “Bobby had come and had given us a little bit of life, and as I’ve mentioned we want to play more than one running back throughout. So it was just a perfect time to keep both of them involved.”

Martin was seen going to the locker room but did return. There were various reports that it was a shoulder injury and others said his leg was wrapped, but so far owners don't have a lot to go on. It wasn't an impressive start for Martin in a tough matchup against the Panthers, he led the team in carries with nine but only totaled nine rushing yards. He had one catch for seven yards. It's a situation worth monitoring as Martin's status with the team and Smith has been a bit of a roller coaster.