Tampa Bay Buccaneers release WR Louis Murphy

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers promoted wide receiver Solomon Patton from the practice squad earlier Saturday, it opened the door for the Buccaneers to release injured receiver Louis Murphy and that is exactly what they did.

Murphy was already ruled out for Week 1’s game against the Carolina Panthers with a back injury he suffered during the final preseason game and hasn’t returned to practice since. He finished the preseason with eight catches for 99 yards.

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The release comes as a bit of a surprise, but so was the cut of Patton. Tampa Bay must feel that a healthy, more versatile Patton is worth a roster spot more than an injured Murphy.

After being drafted in the fourth round by the Oakland Raiders, Murphy played there for three seasons before year-long stints with the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers. He signed with the Buccaneers in the offseason.

His best season came in his second year in Oakland, when he caught 41 balls for 609 yards and two touchdowns. After one more season in Oakland he was traded to Carolina for a seventh round pick.

Murphy is experienced and talented enough to land somewhere when he gets healthy as a fourth or fifth receiver. He isn’t the fastest or biggest receiver, but has a knack for getting open and has solid hands. I don’t expect him to be a free agent for too long.