Charles Sims Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

The Bucs have placed RB Charles Sims on IR with the knee injury he suffered in last weekend's preseason game. He was in line for a pass-catching role in Tampa's backfield. That work now figures to go to RB Jacquizz Rodgers, but it's unlikely to be enough to make him a fantasy factor. Sims' injury certainly doesn't hurt the outlooks for RBs Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones.

Bucs RB Charles Sims suffered a left knee injury on the opening kickoff of Saturday’s preseason game against Tennessee. He was ruled out immediately. Sims isn't a major fantasy factor, but an extended absence would at least be noteworthy. We currently project him for 32 catches.

Bucs HC Dirk Koetter called RB Peyton Barber his starter again on Monday. We heard this back in the spring, but it's more meaningful now that we're in mid-August. Koetter went on to say that Barber "could be a three-down player if we asked him to." The 3rd-year back got the start in Thursday's preseason opener, handling the team’s first 6 RB touches. He took 4 carries for 21 yards and a TD. Rookie Ronald Jones, meanwhile, played just 1 snap with the starting offense -- and dropped a pass on it. He finished with just 9 yards and a score on 8 attempts. Koetter called his performance "pretty average." Jones is talented enough to make up ground in this battle, but it's looking like this will be a committee backfield to open the season. Don't forget that RB Charles Sims is also around to handle pass-catching work. Jones is way overvalued at his 5th-round ADP. Barber is a fine pick at his 13th-round price tag.

The Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud notes that Bucs RB Ronald Jones has "struggled in pass protection" in camp so far. Stroud adds that the rookie's "hands need to become softer" as a pass catcher. This shouldn't come as a surprise after Jones totaled just 32 receptions across 3 seasons at USC. He lost passing-down work this past year to true freshman RB Stephen Carr. Jones figures to cede that role to Charles Sims in Tampa this season. It's why he's overvalued at his current RB27 ADP in PPR drafts.

The Bucs have released RB Jeremy McNichols. The 5th-round rookie was a major disappointment this preseason, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry and failing to catch a pass. He figures to get scooped up by another squad but is obviously off the redraft radar. We'd keep McNichols stashed in dynasty. The Bucs will open the season with Jacquizz Rodgers, Charles Sims and Peyton Barber at RB. Doug Martin is suspended for the first 3 games.

Update: McNichols is joining the 49ers' practice squad.

Bucs HC Dirk Koetter recently talked up RB Charles Sims' pass-catching ability. "At the very least, at the very least, Charles is a really good third-down back," Koetter said. "He's great in protection, really good on the perimeter, an excellent receiver." Sims racked up 203 receptions across 4 college seasons and has averaged over 3 catches per game as a pro. He finished 16th among RBs in PPR points back in 2015 on the strength of a 51-561-4 receiving line. That came despite Doug Martin's big 1,402-rushing-yard campaign. Martin, of course, is suspended for the first 3 games of this season. Sims could carve out a sizable role during that stretch and maintain it even when Martin returns.

Bucs RB Jeremy McNichols has been cleared for the start of training camp after offseason shoulder surgery. He has catching up to do after missing all of spring workouts. There's some opportunity in Tampa's backfield with Doug Martin suspended for the first 3 games, but McNichols is at least behind Jacquizz Rodgers and Charles Sims right now.

Here's what Buccaneers HC Dirk Koetter had to say about RB Doug Martin Wednesday, according to ESPN's Jenna Laine: "Who knows what's going to happen? Are we going to add a running back in the draft? Is Doug going to continue down the path of good health? And we have other guys we like at the position, too. I don't know what's going to happen, as I sit here today. But right now, we have time on our side." Koetter has no reason to convey anything other than uncertainty to the public. We'll see whether the Bucs make a significant backfield addition through the draft. If they don't and Martin stays on the path back, though, he looks like the best RB bet in a decent situation and at a terrific price in early MFL10 drafting.

The Bucs have placed RB Charles Sims on IR. No word yet on his injury. With RB Doug Martin reportedly set to be a healthy scratch again on Sunday, Tampa will be down to RBs Jacquizz Rodgers, Peyton Barber and Russell Hansbrough.

Bucs HC Dirk Koetter described RB Doug Martin's benching for Saturday's game against the Saints a "coach's decision. Koetter added, "We have four backs and we can't give them all touches ... We're blessed with good depth at running back, and this was a decision for today. It is what it is for today, and obviously we have to deal with what comes next." Jacquizz Rodgers, Charles Sims and Peyton Barber were all active for Tampa Bay. Rodgers led the way with 17 touches for 78 yards and a score. Sims carried 3 times and caught 4 balls, while Barber finished without a touch. What the Bucs' backfield will look like for the finale against the Panthers is anyone's guess. Rodgers will be in the RB2 mix if Martin is inactive again. It'll be a situation to avoid if Martin is active.

Bucs RB Doug Martin is INACTIVE for today's game against the Saints. He wasn't even listed on the injury report, so he's either a healthy scratch or was deactivated for disciplinary reasons. Martin has averaged just 2.9 yards per carry this season. His absence leaves Tampa Bay's backfield to Charles Sims and Jacquizz Rodgers. We'd lean toward Sims as the preferred fantasy play, but both guys are risk/reward options.

The Buccaneers on Saturday officially activated RB Charles Sims from IR. Sims hasn't played since the team's 4th game and likely returns as the #3 back. Doug Martin leads the way, and OC Todd Monken said this week that RB Jacquizz Rodgers has earned an "expanded role." Barring injuries ahead of him, Sims figures to make little fantasy impact the rest of the way. Martin's injury issues this season put Sims on the handcuff radar in deeper leagues, though.

Bucs RB Doug Martin practiced on Wednesday. He missed the final few series of last week's game after he, as he put it, got "bent back." But the team never announced an injury, and his participation on Wednesday means he's on track to play against the Saints this weekend. Martin's workload projection is less clear. RB Charles Sims is expected back, and OC Todd Monken said RB Jacquizz Rodgers has earned an "expanded role" after a solid showing last week. Consider Martin just a RB2 for Week 14, despite the plus matchup.

Bucs HC Dirk Koetter expects RB Charles Sims (knee) to be activated from IR this week. He's been out since Week 4. It's still unclear whether Sims will be ready to play against the Saints on Sunday. His return will put a dent in RB Doug Martin's workload. In their only full game together this season, Martin tallied 23 touches to Sims' 7.

Bucs RB Charles Sims (knee) returned to practice on Wednesday. It looks like he's on track to play when he's 1st eligible in Week 14. Tampa Bay's final 3 opponents during the fantasy football season are Saints twice and the Cowboys, so Sims has a shot to re-emerge as a PPR asset.