The Oakland Raiders are parting ways with running back Doug Martin, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The team re-signed the back in early May after a season-ending injury to Isaiah Crowell.
Martin — also known as the “Muscle Hamster” — played 16 games with the Raiders in 2018. He started nine. For the season, the 30-year-old back recorded 172 attempts for 723 yards (4.2 yards per carry) and four touchdowns. He also added 18 receptions for 118 yards. He fumbled the ball three times wearing the silver and black.
Before Oakland, Martin was a mainstay for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but inconsistencies led to his release after six seasons. In his rookie year, after Tampa Bay selected him in the first round out of Boise State, Martin amassed 319 attempts for 1,454 yards (4.6 yards per carry) and 11 touchdowns. He added 49 receptions for 472 yards and a score. His season led to a Pro-Bowl appearance.
Martin struggled for two straight seasons after his outstanding rookie year. He suffered injuries in both 2013 and 2014, leading to two consecutive sub-500 yard seasons. Then, in 2015, he proceeded to set the NFL landscape ablaze, again. He visited the Pro Bowl for the second time as he recorded 288 attempts for 1,402 yards (4.9 yards per carry) and six scores. In addition, he caught 33 passes for 271 yards and a score.
Since 2015, Martin has yet to hit 1,000 yards rushing.
The release means the Raiders' running back group will feature Josh Jacobs, Jalen Richard, and DeAndre Washington. A potential new home for Martin may be in Houston, as the Texans witnessed Lamar Miller suffer a torn ACL on Saturday night.
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