Buccaneers promote Russell Hansbrough with Doug Martin, Charles Sims out

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will promote running back Russell Hansbrough to the active roster, according to Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times. THe Bucs play the Carolina Panthers tonight on Monday Night Football, and their top two running backs Doug Martin and Charles Sims are almost certain to miss the game.

Hansbrough joins Jacquizz Rodgers and fellow undrafted rookie Peyton Barber as the only healthy running backs on the roster for tonight’s game. Rodgers will be the team’s lead back, with Barber likely being a change-of-pace and receiving option — though they may also ask Rodgers to take on most of that role as well.

The Bucs will also have to waive a player to make room for Hansbrough, a move they’ll have to announce at some point before the game.

Tampa Bay is also heavily banged-up along the defensive line, with Gerald McCoy, Clinton McDonald and Robert Ayers almost certain to miss the game. Rookie defensive end Noah Spence may play, but that still leaves them with some massive issues for tonight’s game.

Luckily for them, the Panthers will miss three starters, too: quarterback Cam Newton, running back Jonathan Stewart, and left tackle Michael Oher.