Greg Schiano has said that he is "optimistic" that Mike James can handle the starting role following Doug Martin's season-ending shoulder injury.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers confirmed yesterday that Martin will miss the rest of the campaign with a torn labrum, increasing the team's dependence on the rookie running back.
The head coach told reporters: "I'm optimistic, you have to remember that he's a rookie, after all those carries, I'm optimistic because he's a tough rookie. He's a rookie that has done everything the way we asked and even this week in taking care of his body.
"We call it prehab, even though there's not a particular injury, being preventative in your rehab, making it before the fact. He does all those things. You look at a rookie like Mike Glennon, [he] is doing the same thing. Let's not forget Mike Glennon got smashed a few times, I mean really hit hard, but [he's] another rookie who handles himself like a veteran.
"I think those are important things. Same thing with [tight end] Timmy Wright another rookie whose seen a lot of action and he's handling himself like a pro, taking care of himself. That's critical because these guys are all getting hit."
The Buccaneers face the Miami Dolphins on Monday.
