The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will get additional help this Thursday against the New England Patriots with the return of running back Doug Martin. The Bucs back was suspended for the first four games of the season after a drug test last year yielded a positive result for the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Martin, however, was reinstated just last Monday, giving him little time to practice with the team before plunging into his first NFL action this season.

Martin, however, isn’t letting his minimal preparation nor the uncertainty of his role this Thursday to diminish his excitement. Speaking to Jenna Laine of ESPN, Martin insinuated that he'd be ready whenever his number is called.

“I'm gonna go out there and just do the best that I can do, be as ready as I can be, just play for these guys,”

In the four weeks Martin was away from the field, the Bucs relied mostly on Jacquizz Rodgers to carry the load in the backfield. Rodgers has 165 rushing yards and a touchdown thus far, and Martin’s return is viewed as a welcome development for Tampa Bay’s offense that ranks just 26th in the league in rushing yards per game (84.7).

Martin may not see a ton of work in his first game back, but it’s expected he’ll eventually regain the feature role in the team’s ground attack.

Martin played in 16 games last season for the Bucs and had 1,402 rushing yards to go with six touchdowns.