Doug Martin Injury: Buccaneers running back optimistic; Dashon Goldson unlikely to play

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to be luck with Doug Martin's injury. The running back suffered a shoulder injury in the 31-23 loss against the Atlanta Falcons, but he told the Tampa Bay Times that he "feels alright right now" after the game. The Times notes that early x-rays appeared to look good. Whether he'll be able to play Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers remains to be seen, though. If Martin can't go rookie Mike James is likely to fill in for him.

Dashon Goldson was less optimistic about his knee injury. The Times reports that he had not had x-rays yet, but Goldson said he was "hoping for a miracle" to play on Thursday, which doesn't sound good. The team's pass defense struggled mightily against the Falcons without the All-Pro safety, and his loss would severely limit what they can do in the secondary against a pretty explosive Panthers offense. With ten days to recover after that game the pair is more likely to be back against the Seattle Seahawks in week nine.

The Bucs host the Panthers on Thursday night and they're desperately looking for their first win this year.

More from Bucs Nation:

• Sunday NFL Late Games Open Thread
• Buccaneers @ Falcons: Final Score and Game Review
• Buccaneers vs. Falcons Fourth Quarter Open Thread
• Doug Martin Injury: Running back leaves game with shoulder injury
• Buccaneers vs. Falcons Half Time: Atlanta up 24-10