Sims gained four yards on three carries and hauled in three of five targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 26-20 loss to the Cowboys.

EDGE Analysis

With Jacquizz Rodgers declared a healthy inactive, Sims had all of the leftover backfield work to himself, although that ended up not amounting to much. Doug Martin handled 16 of the 19 running back touches on the night, leaving Sims to primarily serve in his customary pass-catching role. Despite his limited involvement in his first two games back from injured reserve, Sims still figures to have a modest but important role over the final two games as the team continues its playoff push.

Sims totaled 17 yards on four rushes and secured three of four targets for 33 yards in Sunday's 16-11 win over the Saints.

EDGE Analysis

Sims looked quick, powerful and decisive in his first game since injuring his knee in Week 4. The third-year back was decidedly behind Doug Martin in touches, but notbaly outpaced backfield mate Jacquizz Rodgers, who received only two carries and did not see any targets. Overall. Sims filled a very familiar role behind Martin, and is probably due for a slight uptick in snaps in the Week 15 tilt against the Cowboys now that he's proven a return to full health. However, it remains to be seen if Rodgers' very modest role Sunday will be the norm going forward, or if he too will see additional opportunities as the Bucs continue their playoff push.

Sims (knee) was officially activated from injured reserve Saturday, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Sims officially makes his highly-anticipated return to the active roster and will join Doug Martin and Jacquizz Rodgers in helping provide the Bucs with a three-headed monster at tailback, where Sims projects to be the pass-catching specialist of the bunch. However, for fantasy purposes, it isn't clear how carries will be distributed right off the bat.

Sims (knee) will be activated from injured reserve to the Buccaneers' active roster Saturday, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sims has been unavailable for game action since Week 4, but he's slated to make his long-awaited return Sunday against the Saints. Given his lengthy absence, Sims' volume could be limited at this point with fellow running backs Doug Martin and Jacquizz Rodgers both healthy. Although the trio of backfield options results in a fantasy mess, the group could have plenty of opportunities to produce against a Saints defense that struggles against opposing running backs.

Although Sims (knee) has yet to be activated from injured reserve, he told Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times on Wednesday that he's "feeling really good. ... I'm just ready."

EDGE Analysis

There's an expectation that the Bucs intend to end the suspense and have Sims at their disposal this Sunday against the Saints for the first time since Week 4. Head coach Dirk Koetter intimated as much Monday, but this was before Doug Martin, who was knocked out of Week 13 with an undisclosed injury, logged an uninhibited practice Wednesday. Sims may still make his long-awaited return this weekend, but the Bucs could entrust Martin with primary RB duties, with Jacquizz Rodgers in reserve, until Sims is fully acclimated to game action again.

Head coach Dirk Koetter said Monday that Sims (knee) is expected to be activated from IR in advance of Sunday's game against the Saints, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Perhaps Koetter knows a bit more about the health of Doug Martin, who missed the Bucs' final three possessions in Week 13 after he was "bent back" on a third-quarter run. On the other hand, Sims is approaching the end of the second week of his 21-day window for the team to evaluate and ultimately activate him to the 53-man roster. Even if he is available this weekend, he could take a back seat to Martin and Jacquizz Rodgers, dampening his utility off the bat.

Sims (knee) returned to practice Wednesday, opening his 21-day window for activation from injured reserve, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sims was always the most logical of Tampa Bay's IR members to make another appearance this season, but when (or if) he does, he'll take in his normal change-of-pace role behind Doug Martin. In four games this season, Sims offset 2.8 yards per carry with 14 receptions (on 19 targets) for 112 yards.

Bucs head coach Dirk Koetter said Monday that he expects Sims (knee) to return from injured reserve this season, WFLA.com's Dan Lucas reports.

EDGE Analysis

Although Koetter didn't mention a timeline, Sims is technically eligible to return as soon as Week 13. He'll likely rejoin the team as part of a split backfield, as Doug Martin (hamstring) and/or Jacquizz Rodgers (foot) should also by healthy within the next few weeks.

Sims (knee) will be placed on injured reserve, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sims was the Buccaneers' fill-in starter in wake of teammate Doug Martin's (hamstring) injury the past two weeks, but will now face an extended sideline stint himself after hurting his knee last Sunday. Although Tampa Bay's Week 6 bye could allow Martin to return for their next game, both he and Sims' absences leave Jacquizz Rodgers as the team's top tailback for Monday's divisional contest in Carolina. Behind Rodgers, the Bucs sport a pair of undrafted rookies, Peyton Barber and Russell Hansbrough, which could result in added reliance on the passing game Monday night.

Sims (knee) has been ruled out of Monday night's game against the Panthers, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sims' knee injury suffered last Sunday prevented him from practicing throughout the past week, thus making his expected absence Monday rather unsurprising. Nonetheless, with teammate Doug Martin (hamstring) still sidelined, Sims will be missing out on a chance to start at running back for another week. With him out, Jacquizz Rodgers figures to get that opportunity, with Peyton Barber serving as his backup versus a Panthers defense that has been far better against the run than the pass this season.