NFL notes: Doug Martin back on fast track

Doug Martin is back from an injury that sidelined him for most of last season and confident he can regain the form that made him one of the most productive running backs in the NFL as a rookie.

The third-year pro missed the final 10 games of 2013 after tearing the labrum in his left shoulder, contributing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ranking 30th in scoring and last in total offense on the way to a 4-12 finish.

If the Bucs are going to turn themselves around in their first season under coach Lovie Smith, they likely will need a strong running game built around the 5-foot-9, 215-pound Martin.

Particularly with second-year running back Mike James slowed by a shoulder injury and third-round draft pick Charles Sims likely to miss a significant portion of his rookie season after undergoing surgery on his right ankle last week.

“He’s a key guy,” Smith said of Martin, adding that backup Bobby Rainey also figures prominently in the team’s plans as it prepare for the Sept. 7 regular season opener against Carolina.

“With Mike James going down with an injury and with Charles going down, those guys need to play at a certain level,” the coach added. “They’re both good players, but Doug is our bell cow. He likes that role. He’s had a good camp, hasn’t missed a beat.”

Martin rushed for 1,454 yards and 11 TDs in 2012, and his 1,926 yards from scrimmage ranked third in the NFL behind Adrian Peterson and Calvin Johnson. Only two players in league history – Eric Dickerson, with 2,212 in 1984, and Edgerrin James, 2,139 in 1999 – have gained more yards from scrimmage as a rookie.

“A tough runner, doesn’t complain,” Smith said. “He’s going to rush for a lot of yards for us this year.”

Tampa Bay’s starters will get their most extensive playing time of the preseason Saturday at Buffalo. Like most of the regulars, Martin expects to play into the third quarter.

So far this summer, he’s gained 30 yards rushing on nine carries and caught two passes for 6 yards in two games. Despite limited production, Martin feels good about the progress of the new offense installed by first-year coordinator Jeff Tedford.

“I think we took another step – a step up – with the last game,” the 25-year-old said. “The line did a good job protecting the quarterback and creating lanes for us running backs. I felt like it was the key to the offense doing better than the first week.”

Martin was on pace for another 1,000-yard season when he was injured during a loss at Atlanta on Oct. 20. He was inactive the next two games, then spent the final eight weeks on injured reserve, finishing with 456 yards and one TD rushing.

Cowboys LB Holloman out with neck injury

Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeVonte Holloman has what coach Jason Garrett describes as a career-ending neck injury.

Garrett said Thursday that Holloman has been dealing with a neck issue for a couple of weeks. The linebacker played in Saturday’s preseason game against Baltimore, but came out midway through the fourth quarter.

Holloman was evaluated this week by doctors in San Antonio, and other doctors as well.

Eagles dump Steelers

Nick Foles threw for 179 yards and a touchdown to lead the Philadelphia Eagles to a 31-21 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Philadelphia.

Steelers running backs Le’Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount both played one day after they were arrested for marijuana possession shortly before Pittsburgh traveled to Philadelphia.

Quick kicks

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Joe Mays will have surgery on his wrist after hurting it in a preseason game against Carolina and could miss the start of the season. Mays signed a $6 million, two-year contract with the Chiefs in the offseason, leaving the Houston Texans. … Jamaal Charles returned to Chiefs practice Thursday for the first time since hurting his foot last week, though he’s unlikely to play in Saturday night’s preseason game against Minnesota. … Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay’s trial on two misdemeanor charges stemming from a March traffic stop has been postponed for two months. Irsay’s trial had been scheduled for next week, but Hamilton County court records show it’s been rescheduled for Oct. 30.