JACKSONVILLE -- Count the Miami Dolphins among the multiple number of teams that have called the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to gauge the possibility of trading for running back Doug Martin, according to an NFL source.

Making a phone call and expressing interest is a long, long way from actually completing a trade, particular when the player at the center of the interest is battling an injury -- Martin left Sunday's game with an ankle injury of unknown severity.

But it is clear the 1-6 Bucs are in sell mode and the Dolphins, at 4-3 and having won consecutive games for the first time this season on Sunday, are willing to be buyers to improve their roster.

Adding a running back makes sense for the Dolphins. The team lost Knowshon Moreno for the season two weeks ago. Lamar Miller has been carrying the brunt of the running game since that injury with help from an unlikely source ... quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Tannehill has actually been Miami's most explosive rushing weapon in recent weeks. On Sunday he rushed five times for 48 yards and it was the third consecutive game the quarterback has had a run of 30 yards or more.

But that is not a sustainable plan for Miami. The team needs another weapon in the backfield and Martin is known quantity and quality to Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey. Hickey worked for the Bucs' front office when they drafted Martin out of Boise State three years ago.

Martin, 25, was outstanding as a rookie in 2012, gaining 1,454 yards on 319 carries. But injuries have nagged Martin the past two years. He suffered a torn labrum last season and was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 8.

He struggled with a knee injury earlier this season. He also struggled catching the football this season. And, of course, Martin has struggled to succeed on the field like many of his Tampa Bay teammates. Martin has 139 yards on 48 carries so far this year for a 2.9 yard per carry average.

Will the player's increasing lack of effectiveness, injuries and Tampa Bay's sagging season convince the Bucs to trade Martin? That probably depends on what they are offered.

This much is clear, the Miami offense looks like it can use a boost of some sort.

As I wrote in my column in today's Miami Herald, the Dolphins are a football team, but only half the team showed up to their 27-13 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

The offense, for the most part, took the day off. That's not going to fly if the Dolphins are going to make a playoff push down the stretch this season.

Maybe if they can get help from a player who has been dynamic in the past, that might help.

The trade deadline is Tuesday.