ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Doug Martin had been a starting running back in the NFL since entering the league in 2012. He has rushed for more than 1,400 yards twice, gone to two Pro Bowls and been named first-team All-Pro once.
Coming off an NFL bench to assume a starter's role, as he will for the Oakland Raiders on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts? This is new.
"I've been a lead guy ... so it was definitely something that was difficult for me," Martin said Thursday of being a backup, three days after Marshawn Lynch was placed on injured reserve with a groin injury.