Greg Schiano eases Doug Martin injury concerns

Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano has eased concerns over the fitness of Doug Martin after the running back suffered a head injury in a pre-season match.

Martin was forced off in the first quarter of the Buccaneers' 25-21 loss to the New England Patriots on Friday after being struck in the head by the knee of Chandler Jones.

However, fears that the 24-year-old had suffered concussion have been quashed by Schiano, who insists that he was "fine" shortly after the incident.

"I think Doug is going to be fine," Schiano told the Tampa Times. "He got hit in the head but he cleared really quickly. I saw him at half time and he was fine. He was going to play one more play."

Martin has also moved to play down the injury and should be available for their next pre-season match against the Miami Dolphins on August 24.