TAMPA, Fla. -- Wide receiver Louis Murphy is returning to his home region.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed the five-year wide receiver, a native of St. Petersburg, Fla., to a one-year deal Wednesday. He entered the league as a fourth-round selection, 124th overall, with the Oakland Raiders in 2009. He spent three seasons there before playing the last two for the Carolina Panthers (2012) and New York Giants (2013).
Murphy, 26, is a Florida product who has appeared in 71 games with 24 starts as a pro. He has 121 catches for 1,744 yards and eight touchdowns. He also has 14 carries for 146 yards with one touchdown.
His best season came in 2010, when he had 41 catches for 609 yards with two touchdowns.
With Murphy's signing, the Bucs have added 12 players in free agency. Quarterback Josh McCown, defensive end Michael Johnson, cornerback Alterraun Verner, offensive tackle Anthony Collins, defensive tackle Clinton McDonald, center/guard Evan Dietrich-Smith, tight end Brandon Myers, linebacker Dane Fletcher, guard Oniel Cousins, long-snapper Jeremy Cain and cornerback Mike Jenkins signed earlier in March.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
