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Rainey’s romp slowed by injury to Luke Stocker
With Doug Martin sidelined by an ankle injury and rookie Charles Sims still not ready to go, Bobby Rainey flourished as Tampa Bay’s featured running back in the opening half. Rainey carried 15 times for 80 yards as the Bucs took a 10-9 lead into intermission, boasting a huge advantage in time of possession — 18:55 to 11:05 — and offensive snaps, 37 to 27.
But with the Browns blitzing extensively in the final two quarters, Rainey was no factor. He gained only seven yards in four carries as Tampa Bay was limited to 24 snaps, compared to 38 for the Browns. “The guys up front did a great job protecting Mike Glennon all day,’’ Rainey said. “They also did a great job opening up holes for me. Credit to the offensive line and the receivers for blocking so well — everybody across the board.’’
Tampa Bay’s ground game suffered a blow when TE Luke Stocker went out with an abdominal injury in the second quarter. Stocker, who said he took a knee to the abdomen, never returned and Rainey became less involved in the NFL’s No. 32-ranked offense. “We weren’t able to run the ball as much in the second half,’’ Smith acknowledged.
Claimed off waivers from the Browns a year ago, Rainey admitted he had a little extra motivation on Sunday. “They released me, so that’s the chip I had on my shoulder coming in here,’’ said Rainey, who also made his only catch of the day count with a 34-yard reception on third-and-10 in the opening quarter.
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