Rainey had four carries for 12 yards and caught a six-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss to Carolina.

Rainey gave Tampa Bay a mini spark when Doug Martin exited with a leg injury, but he lost a key fumble late in the game, with the team was trying to mount a comeback. If Martin's injury proves to be anything serious, Rainey should be first in line for a big role.

Rainey gained 11 yards on five carries in Thursday's final preseason game against the Redskins.

Despite his immense struggles during the preseason -- he averaged 2.0 yards per carry through four games -- Rainey likely enters Week 1 as the top backup to Doug Martin by default. Injuries to Mike James and third-round pick Charles Sims, who will be out an estimated 12-to-14 weeks, have left Rainey with the most repetitions in the Bucs' backfield. Jeff Demps did impress Thursday, so he theoretically could receive more carries moving forward.

Rainey gained 14 yards on 13 carries and lost one yard on his only reception in Saturday's preseason game against the Bills.

It wasn't a pretty showing for Rainey, who remains the favorite to open the season as Doug Martin's top backup. Charles Sims (ankle) is likely out until at least mid-season, while Mike James (shoulder) could be ready for Week 1. James is clearly Rainey's primary competition for early-down work behind Martin, but Jeff Demps could make a push to see a bit of playing time on passing downs.

Rainey gained just 15 yards on eight carries in Saturday's preseason game against the Dolphins, and fellow running back Mike James left the contest with a shoulder injury, Scott Smith of buccaneers.com reports.

Rainey and Mike James (shoulder) both saw an uptick in value due to the recent news that third-round rookie Charles Sims (ankle) is expected to miss 12-to-14 weeks. Rainey is the favorite to hold down the No. 2 spot on the depth chart, but Sims previously loomed as a threat to rack up a few touches, especially in the passing game. With Sims now out of the picture until at least mid-season, Rainey has a better chance to work as Doug Martin's top backup in both early-down and third-down situations. Should James' injury turn out to be serious, Rainey's competition for playing time behind Martin would essentially be non-existent.

Coach Lovie Smith said Thursday that Rainey will see more touches in the return game Saturday in the Buccaneers' preseason game against the Dolphins, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Punt returns were an area of concern in the early part of training camp, but Rainey seems to have made significant process in securing the football. If he makes good on his opportunity Saturday, Rainey could continue to field more punts as the season approaches, as he has the potential to be a dynamic playmaker. "Now I'm anxious to see what we're going to do in the return game," said Smith. "We had a couple of the punt returns blocked fairly well last week but weren't really able to get to the wall and all. This week, hopefully, we can get a little bit more from it. Bobby Rainey will take more reps as a punt returner and I'm anxious to see him."

Working as the Bucs' No. 2 running back, Rainey gained 25 yards on six carries in Friday's preseason opener against the Jaguars.

Though he worked ahead of rookie Charles Sims on Friday, Rainey still has plenty of competition for touches. Sims is the much more talented receiver, and starter Doug Martin figures to gobble up most of the carries. With Mike James also looming, Rainey is no lock to make the final roster, though he's more likely than not to survive the cut.

Rainey is listed as the Bucs' No. 2 running back behind Doug Martin in advance of the team's preseason opener, the team's official site reports.

While Martin is healthy, after seeing the Bucs hit hard by injuries at the RB position last season, who emerges as his primary backup is of fantasy relevance. Rookie Charles Sims is listed as the team's No. 3 back, and he's a near-lock to stick as a pass-catching complement to Martin. Rainey, meanwhile, will need to hold off Mike James and Jeff Demps in order to maintain his current depth chart standing.

The Tampa Bay Times mentions Bucs RB Bobby Rainey as a player entering camp on the roster bubble.

Rainey rushed for 566 yards and five touchdowns after Doug Martin and Mike James went down with season-ending injuries last season. Both Martin and James are back in the fold, and the Bucs also used a top-70 pick on Charles Sims. Rainey and James are likely competing for one roster spot in a crowded backfield.

Bucs re-signed RB Bobby Rainey to a two-year contract through the 2015 season.

Rainey was scheduled to be an exclusive rights free agent this offseason, so the Bucs are basically buying out that year and his restricted free agent season. He'll be an unrestricted free agent in 2016. Rainey likely isn't getting much more than the three- and four-year veteran's base salary minimums. After rushing for 566 yards and five scores last season, he'll compete for No. 2 duties.

Bobby Rainey rushed 22 times for 127 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for a combined loss of four yards in the Bucs' Week 14 win over the Bills.

Rainey opened the game with an 80-yard touchdown run on his first carry, demonstrating surpising long speed in addition to his solid tackle-breaking ability and improving versatility. Brian Leonard did have seven carries in this game, though they were mostly in garbage time of the 27-6 stomping. A true feature back in Tampa Bay's balanced offense, Rainey will be a RB2/flex play in Week 16 against the Rams, but plays the 49ers next.

Bobby Rainey rushed 17 times for 63 yards in Tampa's Week 13 loss to the Panthers.

He added two catches for eight yards. Rainey found more holes than he did against the Lions in Week 12, but it was still tough sledding against one of the league's better run defenses. The good news is, Rainey out-touched Brian Leonard 19-2, and gets a slightly more burnable Bills run D in Week 14. Rainey will be a FLEX option for the first week of the fantasy playoffs.

Coach Greg Schiano suggested poor run-blocking was the reason for Bobby Rainey's woes in Sunday's win at Detroit.

Rainey rushed 18 times for just 35 yards. "I think Detroit stormed the castle," Schiano said. "They had guys in every gap." The key here is that Schiano was not discouraged at all by Rainey's performance. He's going to play well ahead of Brian Leonard and be a feature back once again when the Bucs face Carolina in Week 13.

Bobby Rainey exploded for 163 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries and caught two passes for four yards and a third score as the Buccaneers trampled the Falcons 41-28 in Week 11.

Although the Bucs were playing a lifeless Falcons defense and Tampa Bay's offensive line legitimately blocked out the sun, Rainey deserves credit for outstanding vision and plus burst through the hole. He has some Ahmad Bradshaw to him, and it not a liability in the passing game. Clearly a superior option to FB/HB plodder Brian Leonard at this point, Rainey will be worth firing up as a flex play against the Falcons in Week 12.

Bobby Rainey played on just 11-of-66 snaps in Monday night's win over the Dolphins.

Yes, Rainey looked good in the fourth quarter and scored the go-ahead touchdown from one yard out. But this is a 5-foot-8 scatback that was cut by a Browns team that boasts Willis McGahee and Chris Ogbonnaya as their top-two running backs. Expect Rainey to be a mere change-of-pace option behind Brian Leonard going forward.

Helping pitch in after Mike James was injured on the opening drive, Bucs RB Bobby Rainey rushed for 45 yards and one touchdown on eight carries in Monday night's Week 10, 22-19 win over the Dolphins.

Neither team played particularly well. There was questionable play-calling and stupid penalties taken by both squads. But the Bucs got their first win of 2013 behind a rushing attack that found plenty of running room. It started with Mike James, who rushed for 41 yards on five opening-drive carries before breaking his ankle. Brian Leonard and Rainey were then forced into action. They combined for 102 yards and Rainey scored what proved to be the game-winning touchdown on a one-yard run around left edge. He set that play up by galloping for 31 yards two plays earlier. James is out indefinitely. If the Bucs don't sign a veteran off the street, we'd expect Rainey to get the bulk of the early-down work while Leonard handles passing downs. Rainey is worth an add in deeper leagues.

Bucs claimed RB Bobby Rainey off waivers from the Browns.

They cut WR Skye Dawson to clear space. A versatile if modestly-talented back, Rainey will slide in as the Bucs' No. 3 behind Mike James and Brian Leonard.

Browns waived RB Bobby Rainey.

He proved ineffective as a change-of-pace back behind Willis McGahee and Chris Ogbonnaya. Rainey has practice squad eligibility remaining.

Bobby Rainey rushed twice for eight yards in Cleveland's Week 5 win over the Bills.

Rainey lost five yards on his lone reception. Rainey mostly stood on the sideline as Willis McGahee gobbled up 26 carries. McGahee has little-to-nothing left, but Rainey isn't a viable option in 12-14 team standard leagues for the time being.

Browns RB Bobby Rainey rushed six times for nine yards and caught two passes for 20 yards in Cleveland's Week 4 win over Cincinnati.

Rainey is being used as a change-of-pace back behind Willis McGahee, with FB/RB Chris Ogbonnaya (10 touches Sunday) also in the mix. A former undrafted free agent out of Western Kentucky, Rainey has some versatility but lacks fantasy value. He won't be a flex option this Thursday night against Buffalo.

Bobby Rainey had four carries for 17 yards in Sunday's Week 3 win over Minnesota.

He added one catch for four yards. Rainey got the first carry of the game and was used in a committee with Willis McGahee and Chris Ogbonnaya. The Browns were forced to go pass-heavy after trading Trent Richardson this week. Rainey was the most effective back on a per-play basis. The Browns running game is a situation to avoid, but Rainey could eventually be an option to lead the backfield in touches. McGahee had just nine yards on eight carries, while Ogbonnaya was limited to third downs and passing situations.