Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin was involved in a car accident Thursday afternoon that knocked his car off the road and into an air conditioning unit, but he escaped the crash with minor injuries.
Doug Martin escapes car crash with minor cuts and bruises
Another driver ran through a stop sign and collided with Martin’s car in the middle of an intersection.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
“Doug was the unfortunate victim in an auto accident earlier today after leaving our team facility,” Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said in a statement. “While Doug’s vehicle sustained a large amount of damage, we are pleased to report that he received only minor cuts and bruises. He has been evaluated by our medical staff and has headed home.”
According to Tampa police, Martin’s vehicle was struck when another driver went through a stop sign. The other driver was cited by police.
Martin, 28, signed a five-year, $35.75 million deal with the Buccaneers a year ago, but struggled in 2016, averaging just 2.9 yards per carry in eight games. He finished the season with a four-game suspension for the use of Adderall, which will carry into the first three games of 2017.
But despite his drop in play and the impending suspension, the Buccaneers didn’t add a running back until the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft when the team took Jeremy McNichols.
Licht has spoken highly of Martin, telling NFL Network’s Good Morning Football that the running back has had a great start to the offseason.
“Doug has looked as good as I’ve seen him,” Licht said. “Here in the last few weeks through OTAs, both mentally and physically he’s been outstanding.”
Thankfully for the Buccaneers and Martin, that offseason momentum wasn’t affected much by a car accident Thursday.
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