The Buccaneers have removed a running back from their roster, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports, who tweets that third-year back Mike James has been cut by Tampa Bay. James will have to pass through waivers unclaimed before he becomes a free agent.
James, 24, joined the Buccaneers a sixth-round pick in the 2013 draft, and earned three starts during his rookie season. For the year, he racked up 295 rushing yards on just 60 carries, good for an average of 4.9 yards per rush.
Since then, however, James hasn’t been a significant part of Tampa Bay’s offense. The former Miami Hurricane had just 37 yards on 19 carries last year, and hasn’t touched the ball so far this regular season. With Doug Martin, Charles Sims, and Bobby Rainey ahead of him on the depth chart, James had become expendable for the Bucs.