Buccaneers' Doug Martin exits game vs. Panthers with apparent knee injury

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin was ineffective in the early going of the team's opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, turning his first nine carries into only nine yards.

His day got even worse in the third quarter, when the sophomore back exited the game with an apparent knee injury.

After being examined on the sideline, Martin was escorted to the locker room by the team's training staff.

The injury did not appear to be serious, but the Buccaneers' players and staff will surely be holding their collective breath until he returns.

Martin's return has been classified as questionable, though he has been spotted on the sideline without a helmet, "fighting and arguing" to get back into the game, which could mean his day is done. Bobby Rainey entered the game as Martin's replacement.