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TC Notes: Doug Martin a Workhorse Again?

-The Buccaneers spent a third-round pick on West Virginia running back Charles Sims with the intention of relieving Doug Martin of much of his passing-down work, as Sims' receiving skills are of a rare quality. The plan was sound enough from a real-life football perspective -- it'd perhaps freshen up Martin for his early-down running between the tackles -- but it was bad news for Martin's fantasy value. Sims unfortunately suffered an ankle injury that required surgery, however, and now he'll miss 12-to-14 weeks. There might be a silver lining in the fact that Sims' absence should allow Martin to take back most of the three-down role he previously owned, as backup runners Bobby Rainey and Mike James don't possess the rare receiving skills that Sims does. Considering Martin was often selected as an RB2 in drafts up to this point, he might prove to be a bargain for those who already own him.

-Rookie second-round pick Jordan Matthews had a rough preseason debut for the Eagles, dropping three passes, but his second showing was very encouraging as the Eagles played the Patriots on Friday. Matthews was quite sharp, catching nine passes for 104 yards. Matthews' strong showing against the Patriots at the very least negates his disappointing debut, and he remains in the hunt to put pressure on Riley Cooper for snaps. Like Jeremy Maclin (hamstring), Cooper (foot) sat out Friday. Both Maclin and Cooper are expected to return to the field soon.

-Tennessee WR Justin Hunter is a favorite breakout candidate this year, and the 6-foot-4, 203-pound speedster only amplified the hype by catching four passes for 111 yards and two scores against the Saints on Friday.  The second-year wideout probably won't make much of an impact on short routes for the Titans -- that's where Kendall Wright will work -- but Hunter is the team's most athletically-gifted wideout and should quickly establish himself as the team's top deep threat, and maybe the top intermediate threat, too.
-New England RB Stevan Ridley lost a fumble against the Eagles on Friday, giving his owners cause for concern over an issue that played a large role in Ridley's failure of a 2013 season. Rookie fourth-round pick James White has a skill set that mostly challenges Shane Vereen as an elusive, pass-catching small back, but if coach Bill Belichick comes to distrust Ridley's ball security, skill set won't be much of a defense for Ridley.

-Dwayne Bowe was suspended for Week 1 due to his offseason marijuana possession arrest. Regardless of whether Bowe is on the field, tight end Travis Kelce is looking like an awfully tempting sleeper prospect.