Bucs RBs Doug Martin (hamstring) and Jacquizz Rodgers (foot) are both out for Thursday night's game against the Falcons. Neither guy practiced at all this week. Tampa is left with Antone Smith, Peyton Barber and Mike James in the backfield. All 3 figure to be involved, making it a situation to avoid in fantasy lineups. Expect a pass-heavier approach than usual from the Bucs.

Bucs RB Jacquizz Rodgers has been diagnosed with a sprained foot, according to ESPN's Jenna Laine. The location and severity of that sprain will determine how long Rodgers will be out. He won't play against the Falcons on Thursday night. With RB Doug Martin (hamstring) also unlikely for that one, Tampa will be down to RBs Antone Smith and Peyton Barber. It figures to mean more volume for QB Jameis Winston.

Bucs RB Jacquizz Rodgers suffered an ankle injury in the 4th quarter of Sunday’s loss to Oakland. In his postgame comments, HC Dirk Koetter indicated that his running back will miss some time. "I don't think it's probably good," Koetter said. "But I don't know for sure. It's something to do with his ankle.” Tampa Bay faces Atlanta on Thursday night, decreasing Rodgers’ chances of suiting up. If he can’t go — and Doug Martin remains out, as expected — the Bucs would turn to veteran Antone Smith and rookie Peyton Barber. Smith beat Barber in snaps (22 to 3) and touches (5 to 1) on Sunday.

Bucs RB Jacquizz Rodgers injured his foot in the 4th quarter of Sunday's overtime loss and did not return. We'll look for an update on his status tomorrow. Tampa Bay hosts Atlanta this coming Thursday, which won't help Rodgers' chances of being ready. With RB Doug Martin (hamstring) also looking unlikely for that one, the Bucs might be down to RBs Antone Smith and Peyton Barber.

Bucs RB Doug Martin (hamstring) is out for Sunday’s game against the Raiders. RB Jacquizz Rodgers gets another start after handling a whopping 56 carries over Tampa’s last 2 games. Oakland is giving up 5.0 yards per carry to RBs.

Bucs RB Doug Martin (hamstring) remained sidelined on Wednesday. There's no timetable for his return after he reinjured that hamstring during the Week 6 bye. Jacquizz Rodgers is the heavy favorite to get another start this weekend against the Raiders.

Bucs HC Dirk Koetter revealed Wednesday that RB Doug Martin suffered a setback with his hamstring injury last week. There's no timetable for Martin's return, which presumably means he won't play against the 49ers on Sunday. It's a huge missed opportunity for a prime matchup and obviously muddies Martin's outlook going forward. RB Jacquizz Rodgers looks like the starter this weekend after handling a whopping 35 touches. He won't need nearly that much to post nice fantasy numbers against a 'Niners defense that's allowed the 3rd most fantasy points to RBs.

Bucs RB Doug Martin (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday. He was expected back for Week 7, but that doesn't look like a lock at this point. We'll see if he can get back on the practice field tomorrow. RB Jacquizz Rodgers would get another start in a prime spot vs. the 49ers if Martin can't play on Sunday.

The Bucs have placed RB Charles Sims (knee) on IR. Still no word on the exact nature of his knee injury, but he's now out for at least the next 8 weeks. He can be dropped in redraft leagues. Tampa will roll with RB Jacquizz Rodgers as the starter tonight vs. Carolina. RB Doug Martin is expected back after the Week 6 bye.

ESPN's Adam Schefter confirms that RBs Charles Sims (knee) and Doug Martin (hamstring) will not play against the Panthers tonight. Both guys were listed as doubtful. That leaves RB Jacquizz Rodgers as Tampa Bay's lead back. The 5'6, 205-pounder has tended to struggle with big workloads. Look for a pass-heavy attack from the Bucs in this one.

The Bucs have officially listed RB Charles Sims (knee) as doubtful for Monday night's game at Carolina. Sims had labeled himself a game-time decision, but even that sounds optimistic now. RB Doug Martin is also doubtful with the hamstring injury that cost him the past 2 games. That leaves Jacquizz Rodgers in line to start ... and us hoping you have a better option

Appearing on SiriusXM radio on Friday, Bucs HC Dirk Koetter labeled RB Charles Sims (knee) a game-time decision for Monday night's tilt vs. the Panthers. Sims has yet to practice this week, although Tampa has 1 more workout on Saturday. We'll hopefully get some clarity between now and the early-game kickoffs. RB Jacquizz Rodgers will start for the Bucs if Martin is out.

Bucs RB Charles Sims (knee) did not practice on Thursday. We haven't heard much about his injury, and he has an extra day to get ready for Tampa Bay playing the Panthers on Monday night. We'll update Sims' status again tomorrow. RB Doug Martin (hamstring) is not expected back this week, so Sims' absence would leave the Bucs with RB Jacquizz Rodgers.

Bucs HC Dirk Koetter said Monday that his team is "contemplating" changes in the backfield. "Maybe we’ve got to go back and really fit the roles into the players’ specific strengths in the run game ... But we definitely just can’t keep doing the same stuff, because that’s not working.” RB Charles Sims has averaged just 3.0 yards per carry as the lead back over the past 2 weeks. Those games have come against a couple of tough run defenses in Los Angeles and Denver, though. And we doubt RB Jacquizz Rodgers would fare much better. Perhaps Sims loses a few more carries to Rodgers in Carolina on Monday night, but he's still a strong bet to operate as Tampa's lead back. He's a fine RB2 for Week 5.

Bucs RB Doug Martin is expected to miss "about 3 weeks" with his hamstring injury, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Tampa has a well-timed Week 6 bye, so Martin should be ready for Week 7. He's worth stashing in all fantasy leagues. Charles Sims will take over as the lead back in the meantime. But HC Dirk Koetter has hinted that Sims might not be a workhorse. "He’s a little bit different style of runner," Koetter said. "He’s not going to break as many tackles as Doug is, but he’s a little more elusive on the outside, a little better in the screen game." Look for RB Jacquizz Rodgers to mix in for at least a handful of carries per game. The Bucs also have a brutal upcoming schedule: Rams, Broncos, Panthers. It all makes Sims more RB2 than RB1 while Martin is out.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the battle for Chicago’s backup RB job is “getting away from” Ka’Deem Carey. He's competing with Jacquizz Rodgers, Jeremy Langford and Daniel Thomas for scraps behind Matt Forte. If you land Forte on draft day, don't bother grabbing any of his backups.

RB Jacquizz Rodgers has inked a 1-year deal with the Bears.  The 5'6, 196-pounder was never able to carve out more than a change-of-pace role in Atlanta and certainly won't do so behind Matt Forte in Chicago.  Rodgers is a plus pass-catcher, with 155 grabs over his 4-year career, but Forte is perhaps the best pass-catching back in the NFL.  It's tough to see Rodgers emerging as a fantasy asset with the Bears as long as Forte is healthy.  And if Forte goes down, we'd likely see a committee backfield with Rodgers and 2nd-year RB Ka'Deem Carey.

Falcons insider Orlando Ledbetter included RB Devonta Freeman among a group of 5 rookies with a "chance to earn significant playing time" this season.  (The other 4 were OT Jake Matthews, DL Ra’Shede Hageman, S Dezmen Southward and LB Prince Shembo.)  Freeman is joining a backfield that features a soon-to-be 31-year-old Steven Jackson and an undersized Jacquizz Rodgers.  Freeman is already drawing praise during rookie minicamp.  “Devonta is a fast and quick guy,” HC Mike Smith said. “He has very good vision and he’s able to stick his foot in the ground and transition into a different direction.”  Freeman looks like a prime mid- or late-round target in fantasy drafts this summer.  He has a chance to emerge as Atlanta's lead back at some point in 2014.