Buccaneers waived RB Michael Smith. Smith missed all of 2013 with a torn ligament in his foot. Smith was a hyped seventh-rounder out of Utah State in 2012, but has yet to notch a regular-season carry. Getting waived at this stage of the offseason - when teams are allowed to carry 90 players - is not a good sign for his NFL future.

Bucs placed RB Michael Smith on injured reserve with a torn ligament in his foot, ending his season. They'll give him one last look in 2014 training camp. Smith had an intriguing profile coming out of Utah State in 2012, with 4.33 jets and fearlessness running inside the tackles, but he never made much headway up the depth chart.

Pewter Report doesn't project RB Michael Smith to make the Bucs' final roster. It's obviously way too early for this kind of stuff -- the Bucs haven't even played a single preseason game. But Scott Reynolds of Pewter Report has Tampa Bay keeping Peyton Hillis as the No. 4 running back behind starter Doug Martin, Brian Leonard, and rookie Mike James. The Tampa Bay Times projected Smith to be the direct backup to Martin last month, so there's plenty to be sorted out. It's a big preseason for last year's seventh-round pick.

The Tampa Bay Times projects Michael Smith as the Bucs' No. 2 tailback to open the season. Previous projections had the Bucs going with rookie Mike James as Doug Martin's backup. Smith would be a more interesting fantasy choice, as he runs 4.33 and was one of Rotoworld draft guru Josh Norris' favorite sleepers coming out of Utah State two Aprils ago. For Martin handcuff purposes, the James-Smith-Brian Leonard battle will be one to monitor in camp and preseason games.

The Bucs are expected to audition 2012 seventh-round pick Michael Smith and 2013 sixth-rounder Mike James for the No. 2 tailback job behind Doug Martin. We wouldn't be surprised if the Bucs made a run at Ahmad Bradshaw closer to camp, but for now speedster Smith (4.33 forty time) and bruising plodder James are the primary competitors. Brian Leonard is more of a fullback/third-down back. Per the Tampa Times, "some in the organization" prefer James to Smith.

Bucs declared RB Michael Smith, S Keith Tandy, LBs Jacob Cutrera and Najee Goode, G Roger Allen, and WR Chris Owusu inactive for Week 9 against the Raiders. The Bucs are one of the NFL's healthiest teams coming off their 10-day layoff following last Thursday night's impressive win over the Vikings.

Bucs declared RB Michael Smith, OL Cody Wallace, WR Chris Owusu, TE Danny Noble, LBs Jacob Cutrera and Najee Goode, and DB Keith Tandy inactive for Week 7 against the Saints. Smith is a healthy scratch as the team's No. 4 running back. The Bucs enter Sunday's game as one of the healthier teams in the league. They listed just two players on the injury report, and both were probable.

Bucs declared RB Michael Smith inactive for Sunday's Week 4 game against the Redskins. Smith is a healthy scratch once again as the Bucs appear to be warming slightly to LeGarrette Blount. The rest of the Bucs' inactives: CB Myron Lewis, CB Anthony Gaitor, DB Keith Tandy, LB Najee Goode, OT Jeremy Trueblood and WR Chris Owusu.

Buccaneers declared RB Michael Smith, CB Anthony Gaitor, CB E.J. Biggers, S Keith Tandy, WR Chris Owusu, OT Jamon Meredith and DE George Johnson inactive for Week 3 versus the Cowboys. Arrelious Benn has replaced Smith as the primary kickoff returner, and may add slot receiver duties to his plate following Sammie Stroughter's season-ending foot injury.

Seventh-round RB Michael Smith will enter the season as the Bucs' primary kickoff returner. The blazing rookie out of Utah State averaged an eye-popping 31.7 yards on 10 preseason returns. Sammie Stroughter is listed ahead of Preston Parker as the No. 1 punt returner. Neither Smith nor Stroughter does enough on offense to warrant a draft selection in return-yardage leagues.