With Doug Martin still ailing and Jacquizz Rodgers now injured and not expected to play Thursday against the Falcons, Smith figures to see an expanded role in the Bucs' Week 9 backfield, ESPN's Jenna Laine reports.
Also in the mix for the team's carries could be Peyton Barber and even Mike James, with a committee approach a likely outcome. While neither of the three backs is a clear-cut plug and play for Martin/Rodgers, Smith's utility in the passing game figures to keep him involved, in any case, thus making him an option for those scrambling for running back help in a week where six NFL teams are on bye.