Doug Martin, a rookie sensation for the Buccaneers who saw his sophomore campaign derailed by a shoulder injury, has gotten the green light by the medical staff.

Martin underwent surgery on a torn labrum. He missed the second half of the Bucs’ season, as Mike James and Bobby Rainey were pressed into more action.

Coach Lovie Smith says he’ll employ a power running game in Tampa, and setting the pace will be Martin. He rushed for 456 yards on 127 carries before going down with the injury, but has 1,910 career rushing yards. Martin also has good hands to catch the ball out of the backfield.

The Bucs were very aggressive during the early part of the free agency period, ranking No. 1 among all teams by Sporting News. With quarterback Josh McCown in the fold, and healthy Martin, their offense is even stronger.

Offseason workouts begin April 22. 


KELLY TREATMENT POSTPONED


Former Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly was set to undergo chemotherapy treatment on Monday to combat tumors from a recurrence of oral cancer, but the procedure was postponed, according to a report.

Kelly told SI's Peter King earlier this week that he had "countless microscopic" tumors in his head and thus was not a candidate for surgery.

Instead, he faces a intensive seven-week series of chemotherapy and radiation treatments that will take place nearly five days a week.

Despite the aggressive treatment, Kelly's doctor is optimistic and says the cancer is "very treatable and potentially curable."

"I just know there’s a lot of work to do, to shrink the cancer," Kelly said. "I just pray it works. If you hear I’m about to have surgery, then you know it’s working. That’s the goal. But it won’t be an easy operation.”


JETS MAY BE EYEING JOHNSON


The Tennessee Titans are about to do what's been expected all offseason: part ways with running back Chris Johnson. According to multiple reports, they would prefer a trade of CJ2K, but his $8 million salary in 2014 makes that move difficult. A relase is more likely, but don't expect Johnson to wait too long to find a new home.

Johnson has slowed down a bit and will turn 29 in September. But he still produced 1,422 scrimmage yards and 10 total touchdowns last season, four-plus years removed from rushing for 2,006 yards in 2009.

The New York Jets, who have been looking to add a veteran to their backfield, are interested, the New York Daily News reports.

The Jets would like to think they can rely on the likes of Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell, but recent injury issues for both backs show they can't. Johnson doesn't have the same fresh legs as former Colt Donald Brown, who signed with the San Diego Chargers. He is, however, a healthier aging option than former Jaguar Maurice Jones-Drew, who took a three-year deal with the Oakland Raiders.

The Titans, meanwhile, have former Jet Shonn Greene ready to take over top back duties whenever Johnson departs. With Greene being more of a power back, expect Tennessee and new coach Ken Whisenhunt to look for their new speedy, explosive back in the 2014 draft. Auburn's Tre Mason would be a great CJ2K replacement in Round 2.

Other teams to watch when Johnson becomes available are the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys.


BROWNS LINING UP PRIVATE QB WORKOUTS


The Cleveland Browns need a quarterback. Brian Hoyer, a starter for part of last season before tearing his ACL, says he’s on target to return in April and compete for his job.

And, he’s sure to have competition.

“It’s inevitable,” he told NFL.com.

Cleveland was not at Johnny Manziel’s pro day, but not much should be made of it. They have their eye on him — and several others, apparently.

Team owner Jimmy Haslam told Cleveland's The Plain Dealer that the Browns have lined up private workouts for quarterbacks. New coach Mike Pettine and GM Ray Farmer will take charge of those workouts, with Haslam taking their assessments and working with them.

Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr was first on the list.

The Browns have three picks in the top 35 of the NFL Draft, including the No. 4 pick. They are in great position to trade picks, grab quality players and be selective. But, Haslam said, if they kept their No. 4 position, they won’t necessarily reach for a quarterback.

“Yeah, I don’t think we’re compelled to pick a quarterback at No. 4,” he told the Plain Dealer. “We don’t know that yet. The draft is May 8, so it’s still six, seven weeks, and Ray and his team and Pett and his team have a lot of work to do between now and then.”


ALLEN MEETS THE PRESS


How many times during this offseason has Jared Allen heard about how old he is; how he’s maybe lost a step?

Plenty, is the answer. How much of that does he believe about himself? None of it.

Allen, after what seemed like a drawn out free agency process, chose the Chicago Bears after a career spent in Minnesota. He signed a four-year, $32 million deal and despite the speculation that he has contemplated retirement, Allen, who turns 32 on Thursday, sounds like a player intent on playing out that deal.

“It’s never been about the money for me…At a certain point, there’s a value in walking away,” he told reporters. “It got blown out in the media. It was never my intent (to retire). I wasn’t just going to put my cleats and pads on for a team that had no chance…(and is) rebuilding, and you’re laying it out there.

“I still feel like I’m one of the best at what I do. If not the best, then one of (the best).”

He played last season after coming off shoulder surgery. It may have contributed to a dip in productivity, although Allen’s 11-1/2 regular sacks still tied for seventh in the league. He also had 52 tackles. The Bears had only 31 sacks as a team last season.


DON’T BE FOOLED BY ZIMMER


Last week, Mike Zimmer used "choreographed" and "sideshow" to describe Johnny Manziel's pro day, leaving the impression the Minnesota Vikings'  head coach wasn't impressed by Manziel. This week, Zimmer expanded on how his team has grilled the most polarizing quarterback prospect in the 2014 NFL draft.

“We asked him all kinds of questions," Zimmer told Austin radio station KTXX-FM. "We went to dinner with him the night after (his pro day). We talked to him at the combine. There are some flags that come up. All of the things that happened out in Los Angeles, the commercials and all that stuff."

Stop right there.

Don't be fooled: The fact Zimmer is asking all these questions and making them public is an indication of heavy interest in Manziel, not the opposite. Before, it didn't look like the Vikings would have a shot at him if they didn't trade up into the top five. Now there's a real possibility Manziel slips a bit, leaving Minnesota with the first big decision to make on the Texas A&M product.

The Vikings are the quarterback have-not in a division with Aaron Rodgers' Packers, Matt Stafford's Lions and Jay Cutler's Bears. They have several good pieces around the quarterback, and a sage offensive coordinator, Norv Turner.

"The position of quarterback in the NFL is such an important position and the reason these guys need to be a totally football-minded guy is the pressure of the position and being the face of an NFL team and doing everything right," Zimmer added. "That’s the thing you want to know about him: Will he be into work early every single day? Will be the last to leave? Will he be the guy that is working the hardest to get better?"

Contributors: Rana L. Cash, Vinnie Iyer

WATCH: Tucker on Manziel's pro day