Mike James

James' on-again, off-again relationship with the Bucs continued in 2015, as he sandwiched two stints on the active roster around a practice squad tenure. The 2013 sixth-round pick's best season came in his rookie campaign, when he managed 295 yards rushing on 60 carries, while adding 43 yards on 10 receptions. James was able to capitalize on a Doug Martin injury that season, but played sparingly in 2014 behind Martin, Charles Sims, and Bobby Rainey. He found himself behind the same trio after making the final roster to start 2015, and was eventually released and resigned to the practice squad. A promotion to the active roster on Dec. 26 failed to net the former Hurricane any late-season playing time, and he once again will find himself in a battle for the third running back role going into the new season. Free-agent signee Storm Johnson and undrafted free agents Peyton Barber and Russell Hansbrough join James in a crowded tailback depth chart, leaving the 25-year-old's status for 2016 uncertain.

Sparingly used last season, the third-year running back was buried on the depth chart behind incumbent starter Doug Martin and 2014 third-round pick Charles Sims. He saw offensive snaps in just seven games last season, playing just 43 total on the season and accumulating 37 rushing yards on 19 carries. Martin and Sims return this season and are expected to split the lion's share of carries in the Bucs' backfield. With the team's investment in the two men ahead of him on the depth chart, barring injury, James is unlikely to see a surge in playing time and will simply provide depth in the backfield while serving on special teams as well.

After starter Doug Martin went down with a season-ending shoulder injury, James flashed as a legitimate replacement with 4.9 YPC and 10 catches on 11 targets. However, it was short-lived as James went down with a broken ankle in Week 10. It was then teammate Bobby Rainey who came in and ended up as the Bucs' leading rusher in 2013. James remains in the backup mix again, along with Rainey and rookie Charles Sims, once he returns from an ankle injury.

James will back up Doug Martin and Brian Leonard for the Bucs.