22 Doug Martin RB

According to Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht, Martin's (suspension) play during offseason workouts has reminded him of his form during the 2015 season, NFL.com's Kevin Patra reports.

Martin is returning to the fold after being suspended for the final game of the 2016 season and subsequently entering treatment to sort out some off-field issues. Seemingly rejuvenated after that spell, however, Martin has consistently drawn praise during offseason sessions for his physical and mental condition. The tailback appears to be running with the type of power and sharpness that has twice made him a 1,400-yard rusher, not the 400-yard rusher he was his other three seasons. Although Martin will remain suspended for the first three games of the upcoming campaign, his performance of late has helped alleviate concerns over him being a cap casualty, but he'll need sustain his good work until Week 4 to earn back his starting job ahead of Jacquizz Rodgers, Charles Sims and rookie Jeremy McNichols.

Martin (suspension) feels that the treatment he underwent early in 2017 after receiving a four-game suspension had a significant all-around impact on him, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports. "It was definitely worth it," said Martin. "I definitely turned a negative into a positive and I'm out here and I'm definitely a stronger person because of it. I was [in treatment] to the point where I'm strong now, mentally strong and physically strong."

Martin has reportedly looked sharp in OTAs thus far and has stated that the hamstring troubles that plagued him during 2017 are behind him. The veteran tailback has also been upbeat, noting that the therapeutic process he underwent while in treatment thoroughly prepared him for a return to the team environment. Although the Bucs will still be without him for the first three games of the regular season while he finishes serving out his aforementioned four-game ban, Martin will be able to prove his physical and mental fitness throughout training camp and preseason. For his part, head coach Dirk Koetter sees plenty of encouraging signs when observing Martin's current on-field work. "I think just from my own experience, when Doug is practicing like this - when he's finishing plays, when he's got that burst, got that pep in his step - it's carried over to the field," said Koetter.

Martin (suspension) is taking the majority of first-team reps at the beginning of OTAs, WFLA's Roy Cummings reports.

Oft-mentioned as a potential cap casualty just one season after signing a five-year, $35.75 million contract, Martin is doing his best to earn another shot in Tampa. He completed a treatment program at the beginning of the offseason, and general manager Jason Licht recently said the 28-year-old is back to top physical condition. While suspended for the first three games of the season, Martin has put himself on track to regain lead status in Tampa Bay's backfield beginning in Week 4. It is still possible he could be released if there are any setbacks between OTAs and the start of the season, as the Bucs have insurance in the form of Jacquizz Rodgers, Charles Sims and rookie fifth-rounder Jeremy McNichols (shoulder). Rodgers is getting most of the second-team reps at OTAs, with Sims handling the third-team looks.

Martin (suspension) reported that he was in a car accident on Thursday but is uninjured.

Martin's vehicle was hit when another driver ran a top sign and collided with him. Though the running back did receive minor scrapes and bruises, he did report that he is perfectly healthy. It isn't anticipated that the accident will force him to miss any time.

Martin (suspension) has additional competition in the Buccaneers' backfield after the selection of Jeremy McNichols (shoulder) during this year's NFL Draft, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

One can speculate that the Buccaneers didn't select a running back before the fifth round due to Martin's showing in the offseason program to date. Indeed, he impressed general manager Jason Licht on the first day of the offseason program, looking "as good as I've seen him since I've been here, from a physical standpoint," according to Jenna Laine of ESPN.com. Having said that, Martin will likely have to avoid any stumbles in the coming months in order to solidify his previous standing as the Buccaneers' No. 1 running back. As for the other members of the backfield, McNichols will strive to compete with Jacquizz Rodgers and Charles Sims (pectoral) for that spot during Martin's suspension to start this season, but the rookie's climb will be hampered by rehabilitation from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder. Assuming Martin continues to hearken back to better days, he's the logical candidate to serve as the team's top RB for the final 13 games of the campaign.