The Bucs have elected to not pick up the fifth-year option on Martin's contract, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

As a result, Martin -- who carried 134 times for 494 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games in 2014 -- is slated to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2015 season, in the event that he doesn't sign an extension with the Bucs in the coming months. Heading into the coming campaign, the report suggests that Martin is likely to compete with Charles Sims for the Bucs' starting RB job, with Bobby Rainey and Mike James set to reprise their backup roles. Assuming he can re-prove his health though, Martin has a solid shot to enter the season as the team's top early-down back, but at a minimum, Sims' pass-catching ability should earn him change-of-pace work and perhaps more, should he impress this summer.

Martin had 19 carries for 108 yards during Sunday's loss to the Saints.

The Bucs led 20-7 heading into the fourth quarter, and Charles Sims took over the backfield touches, finishing with 18 carries for 69 yards, though he did score an eight-yard touchdown before halftime. Martin finishes the season with 134 carries for 494 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games, as he missed time with both an ankle injury and a knee issue. There was plenty of speculation that Sims would take over the starting job at some point this season, but Martin held onto it and the two will likely battle it out during training camp next year.

Martin had 10 carries for 17 rushing yards and failed to catch the only ball thrown his way during Sunday's loss to the Packers.

Martin finished with six more carries than backup Charles Sims (four carries for minus-1 yard), though the rookie was able to rack up 30 receiving yards on three catches. It was an ugly performance overall, and Martin could cede more touches to Sims in Week 17 against the Saints, who are allowing the fourth-most rushing yards per game this season, as the Bucs could try to see what they have with the rookie out of West Virginia in the season-finale.

Martin had 14 carries for 96 rushing yards and one catch on one target for three receiving yards during Sunday's loss to the Panthers.

Martin looked primed for a huge game, rushing for 92 yards in the first half, which included a single 63-yard run, but he was all but shut down in the second half as the Bucs abandoned the run despite being in a close game. It was by far Martin's best game yardage-wise this season, though he ceded seven carries to rookie Charles Sims, who rushed for 34 yards, while also catching three passes for 45 yards. Up next is a Week 16 matchup against the Packers, who are allowing the seventh-most rushing yards per game this season.

Martin had five carries for 22 rushing yards and one catch on one target for zero receiving yards during Sunday's 34-17 loss to the Lions.

Facing off against the league's best run defense, Martin actually finished with the same number of carries as rookie Charles Sims, though the latter lost four yards on his touches. The Bucs' rushing attack is simply a bust, and they are now averaging the third-fewest rushing yards per game this season. Up next is a Week 15 matchup against the Panthers, who have allowed the third-most rushing touchdowns this season, though there's little reason for optimism from Martin's fantasy owners.

Martin had 18 carries for 58 rushing yards and a touchdown, and one catch on one target for three receiving yards Sunday against the Bengals.

Martin set season-highs in rushing attempts and yards with his performance Sunday, and he continues to get plenty of looks ahead of backups Charles Sims and Bobby Rainey, each of whom were rumored to be ready to replace Martin as the starter this season. Unfortunately, the good vibes aren't likely to stick around, as the Bucs will face off against a Lions defense in Week 14 that is allowing the fewest rushing yards per game this season.

Martin (ankle) had a team-high 11 carries for 27 rushing yards and one catch on three targets for four receiving yards Sunday against the Bears.

Playing in his first game since suffering the ankle injury back in Week 8 against the Vikings, Martin failed to average even 3.0 yards per carry for the fourth time in six games. While Bobby Rainey had only one carry for three yards, rookie Charles Sims picked up six carries, which he turned into 22 yards (3.7 YPC). It was hardly a stellar performance from any of the running backs, and it looks entirely possible that the Bucs could be starting a running-back-by-committee approach. If that's the case, all three will have limited fantasy upsides, even in Week 13 against a Bengals defense that came into Sunday allowing the fifth-most rushing yards per game this season.

Martin (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against Chicago.

Martin will get his first taste of action since Week 8, as the back has missed three straight contests due to an ankle ailment. He returned to the practice field Thursday, and even took many of the first-team reps in Friday's session. Martin is unlikely to be immediately thrusted into the starting role, however, as the most likely scenario is that he'll be part of a committee involving Bobby Rainey and Charles Sims (ankle). For that reason, Martin becomes a bit of a risky fantasy play until more concrete information is known about the carry distribution in Tampa Bay.

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com expects Martin (ankle) to play Sunday against the Bears.

We'll confirm this prior to game time, but all signs had been leading up to Martin making his return to the field following a three-game absence. Rapoport also expects rookie Charles Sims (ankle) to play, which leaves the carry distribution in Tampa Bay a little bit cloudy at the moment.

Martin (ankle) received many of the reps with the first team during drills this week, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Martin is officially questionable to play Sunday against Chicago but the expectation is that he will return following a three-game absence. Rookie Charles Sims saw 13 carries last week to Bobby Rainey's four, and while Martin may eat significantly into the backfield work in his first game back, Sims figures to remain the top pass-catching option at the position.

Martin (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against Chicago.

Even if Martin plays against Chicago, it seems safe to say at this point that Charles Sims is the favored running back in the Tampa backfield at the moment, and Bobby Rainey might be ahead of Martin, too. Sims (ankle) is questionable for Sunday, however, so the equation could change for Martin if Sims sits. Martin was a limited practice participant all week, whereas Sims was added to the report as a limited participant Thursday and Friday after practicing fully Wednesday.

Martin (ankle) was limited in practice Wednesday, the Buccaneers' official site reports.

After practicing in a limited capacity to conclude last week, Martin still received inactive status for Sunday's eventual win at Washington. He seems resigned to building up his rep count in drills before he can play, especially due to healthy nature of the remaining running backs. No matter, continue to watch his status as the weekend approaches in case his first appearance since Week 8 comes to fruition.

Martin (ankle) will not play Sunday against Washington.

Martin was able to log some practice time this week, but coach Lovie Smith indicated that the running back still isn't ready for game action. A combination of Bobby Rainey, Charles Sims and Mike James will handle the rushing workload for the Bucs on Sunday, with Martin setting his sights on a possible Week 12 return at Chicago.

Martin (ankle) returned to practice Thursday, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Martin's appearance in drills marks his first since suffering an ankle injury in Week 8, but his activity level has yet to be revealed. Clearly, his return is an encouraging sign for his potential availability Sunday in Washington. However, the rest of the backfield is healthy, meaning he'd likely have a difficult time wresting work from Bobby Rainey, Charles Sims, and Mike James, if Martin attains active status, that is.

Martin (ankle) didn't take part in Wednesday's practice, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Martin has missed all drills since sustaining an injured ankle in Week 8, and until he makes an appearance, it's difficult to project when in fact his next game will occur. In the meantime, Bobby Rainey will head the Bucs' backfield, with Mike James and Charles Sims present to act in complementary roles.

Martin (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against the Falcons.

Martin was considered a game-time decision despite missing another full week of practice, but will live up to his doubtful tag and take a seat Sunday afternoon. In his stead, look for Bobby Rainy to once again lead the charge in the Tampa Bay backfield, with rookie Charles Sims (ankle) potentially coming into play as well. Rainey turned in an impressive 4.6 YPC in Week 9 against the Browns, so even when Martin returns to health, it's starting to appear unlikely that he reclaims the starting running back gig.

Although Martin (ankle) did not practice Friday and is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Falcons, coach Lovie Smith said that the running back will be a game-time decision, the Tampa Tribune's Roy Cummings reports.

Smith said that Martin is getting better, but an entire week of missed practice seems to fly in the face of that assessment. If Martin does play, he will likely be at less than 100 percent, and it's anyone's guess how the Bucs would choose to divvy up the carries between Martin, the recently productive Bobby Rainey and promising youngster Charles Sims. The doubtful tag speaks volumes here; don't count on having Martin available.

Martin (ankle) is not practicing Friday, the Tampa Tribune's Roy Cummings reports.

We'll have another update later Friday once the Buccaneers release their official injury designations, but Martin has now missed every day of practice this week and seems headed for another Sunday on the inactive list.

Martin (ankle) missed Thursday's practice, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Another absence doesn't bode well for Martin's availability Sunday against the Falcons, especially with one practice remaining this week. Further hampering his prospects are Bobby Rainey's Week 9 performance against the Browns (19 rushes for 87 yards) and the upcoming NFL debut of Charles Sims (ankle), who was limited in Wednesday's iteration of drills. While owners can hold out hope that Martin grows healthy enough to suit up in Week 10, a number of hurdles are in his path to fantasy relevance.

Martin (ankle) didn't participate in practice Wednesday, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Martin is continuing last week's absence, which was spurred by an injured ankle suffered in Week 8 against the Vikings. In his stead, Bobby Rainey performed admirably, with 19 rushes for 87 yards, and the activation of Charles Sims over the weekend supplies the offense with a pass-catching threat out of the backfield. Thus, the Bucs wouldn't be left wanting, if Martin sits out for a second game in a row. As the week proceeds, though, expect his status to receive clarification.