Sims emerges as Bucs' primary running back In a game in which the Bucs won with long pass plays, a significant shift came in the backfield, where rookie Charles Sims got the majority of the touches among running backs in Sunday's 27-7 win over the Redskins. Sims, who made his NFL debut a week earlier after missing eight games recovering from ankle surgery, did not start, but finished with a team-high 13 carries for 36 yards and three catches for 8 yards. Bobby Rainey, who started in place of the injured Doug Martin for a third straight game, had just 4 yards on five carries, this after totaling 14 yards the week before. "He is looking better and better," head coach Lovie Smith said of Sims' progress. "It is tough when you miss everything. If you look at it, this is like his second preseason game, second NFL game for him and he has a high ceiling." Rainey opened the game with a 1-yard loss, then had 2 yards on another first-down carry before he was replaced by Sims on the second series. The rookie gained 4 yards on his first carry, then 11 and 12 yards on back-to-back carries, then was stopped for a 2-yard loss. Sims got the nod on the opening series of the second half, converting a third-and-1 with a 2-yard gain. "It felt good to be out there and compete, felt good to get the win," said Sims, a third-round pick from West Virginia. "I just had a good feeling. It's always good to be part of a win. I think we did some great things on offense." Sims had eight carries for 23 yards and two catches for 17 yards in his debut last week, and the prominent role Sunday is a sign of things to come in the remaining six games. Even the short-yardage plays were something backup Mike James had handled last week, going 3-for-3 on third-and-1 plays.