Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ink Louis Murphy to New Deal

Oct 5, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Louis Murphy (18) celebrates a touchdown catch in the second quarter of their game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed wide receiver Louis Murphy to a three-year contract extension, the team announced Friday.

Murphy, 27, had been scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

In 11 games, Murphy had 31 catches for 380 yards and two touchdowns. He was placed on injured reserve Dec. 15 with an ankle injury but head coach Lovie Smith said at the time that Murphy had done enough to stay with the Bucs.

The former Florida standout had been signed in the summer but was cut at the end of training camp due to a minor back injury. However, once healed, he re-signed with the Bucs and was productive as the team’s No.3 receiver behind Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson.

The highlight of Murphy’s season will likely be his 41-yard reception against the Pittsburgh Steelers that set-up Jackson’s last second touchdown that gave the Bucs their first win of the season. He also had a 100-yard game against the Chicago Bears when he had 113 yards on six catches. His two touchdown receptions came in losses to the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens.

Tampa Bay has 12 unrestricted free agents on their roster. Murphy is the first to re-sign with the team.