NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Louis Murphy Will Be X-Factor For Tampa Bay Buccaneers In Week 5

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By @K_Momberg

Louis Murphy Buccaneers

Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

As a journeyman wide receiver on his fourth team in the past four years, not much was expected of Louis Murphy when he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past offseason. In fact, after he sustained an injury in the preseason, the Buccaneers cut him just before the start of the regular season.

Now healthy, Murphy was re-signed by the Buccaneers last week, and he made the most of his opportunity on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The sixth-year man caught six passes for 99 yards, including a clutch 41-yard pass that set up a game-winning touchdown.

Murphy is likely to take on an even bigger role in the coming weeks. Rookie wide receiver Mike Evans has a groin injury and is expected to miss the next 2-3 weeks. With Evans out, Murphy will be the x-factor for the Buccaneers in Sunday’s matchup with the New Orleans Saints.

After his breakout performance in Pittsburgh, Murphy has a chance to pick up right where he left off against the struggling Saints. New Orleans, and its 27th-ranked pass defense, spent much of last week double-teaming Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, which allowed fellow wide receiver Terrance Williams to haul in two touchdowns. The Buccaneers should look to attack the Saints in a similar fashion. With Evans out, if New Orleans tries double-teaming Tampa’s No. 1 wide receiver Vincent Jackson, Murphy should be free to make a couple of big plays.

It remains to be seen if Murphy is ready for a bigger role, but if he can come up with a couple of clutch receptions against a porous Saints’ defense, it would drastically improve the Buccaneers’ chances of leaving the Superdome with a victory.

K.J. Momberg is the Jacksonville Jaguars writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @k_momberg or add him to your network on Google.

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