Doug Martin’s Updated 2014 Fantasy Outlook Heading into Week 5

September 30, 2014   ·   Tim Keeney   ·   Jump to comments

Concerns of a backfield by committee in Tampa Bay were quelled in Week 4, as Doug Martin returned from his knee injury and out-touched Bobby Rainey, 16-5.
But the good news for Martin owners pretty much dies right there. The Muscle Hamster looked more like a Muscle Slug against a Pittsburgh Steelers defense depleted by injuries, compiling just 56 total yards (3.5 per touch) and failing to put a stranglehold on the starting job. Martin saved his day with a three-yard touchdown run, and he is very clearly the lead back, but his lead over Rainey is tenuous.
As 4for4.com's John Paulsen and Josh Moore noted, Rainey was still trusted in important situations despite the minuscule workload:
On the season, Martin is now averaging 2.1 yards per carry and two targets per game, while Rainey is at 4.9 and 3.75 respectively. However, apprehension regarding ball security—Rainey lost two fumbles against Atlanta in Week 3—was likely a main culprit for the discrepancy in snaps...

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