Doug Martin, Anthony Collins miss Buccaneers practice

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were missing a number of players in practice today. Lovie Smith listed running back Doug Martin, let tackle Anthony Collins, cornerback Alterraun Verner, wide receiver Vincent Jackson and tight end Luke Stocker as being absent from today's practice.

This probably means we'll see Oniel Cousins at left tackle for a second straight game. And, somehow, this is not the worst thing in the world. Cousins was actually fairly okay last game. Not perfect, but hardly the disaster we expected. I'm not sure how that happened, but apparently he's a better tackle than he is a guard? Okay then.

Vincent Jackson's absence is likely to be routine maintenance than anything else. Alterraun Verner's absence is more troubling. The cornerback has a hamstring injury which may or may not be a big deal, but if he can't go or is limited in some way, we'll likely see Brandon Dixon or Crezdon Butler back on the field. Their poor play was a major factor in the Bucs' blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Charles Sims should make his debut this Sunday and with Bobby Rainey's solid play last week, the Bucs shouldn't miss Doug Martin too much. Luke Stocker's injury is a little more annoying, as the tight end has been a very good blocking tight end and even did well as a fill-in fullback last game.