Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL 2015 roster news: Louis Murphy tears ACL in loss to Redskins

Louis Murphy with the Oakland Raiders in 2010.Wikimedia Commons/Jeffrey Beall

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were hit with a huge blow at the wide receiver position with Louis Murphy heading to injured reserve and missing the remainder of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

ESPN narrated in their report how Murphy sustained the injury in the first quarter of Sunday's 31–30 loss to the Washington Redskins. 

Murphy was tackled by Redskins cornerback Bashaud Breeland in their 37-yard line while trying to complete a 29-yard catch, according to ESPN. 

In his conference last Monday, Bucs head coach Lovie Smith confirmed the injury and Murphy's absence for the rest of the 2015 season. 

The 28-year-old wide receiver played in all six of Tampa Bay's regular season games so far and has 10 receptions for 198 yards. 

Last season, Murphy played in 11 games having 31 receptions for 380 yards and two touchdowns. 

He also headed to the injured reserve during the 2014 season according to the team's website, but it happened with only two games left in their schedule. 

The Buccaneers are currently at 2-4 and are still a long shot from becoming playoff contenders, with the loss of Murphy being a setback in their postseason hopes.

Before playing for Tampa Bay, Murphy had stints with the Oakland Raiders, the team that drafted him 124th overall in 2009, as well as with Carolina Panthers and the New York Giants.

ESPN mentioned in their report that replacing Murphy as the Buccaneers' number three wide receiver is Donteea Dye, who had an impressive showing last Sunday against the Redskins. 

The 22-year-old footballer had one catch from fellow rookie, quarterback Jameis Winston, and completed a seven-yard touchdown.

Tampa Bay will try to better its record when it returns to action this Sunday but will have a tall task taking on the Atlanta Falcons. 

The Falcons are 6–1 this 2015 and edged the Tennessee Titans 10–7 last Sunday to return on the winning track. The previous week, a loss to New Orleans Saints ended a five-game winning streak for the Falcons.