TAMPA, Fla. _ Can the Bucs-Panthers game turn into Miller time?
Receiver Breshad Perriman missed the week five loss with a hamstring injury, forcing the Bucs to turn to other options in the passing game. Perriman, who did not participate Thursday, will not make the trip to London for the game against the Panthers.
Rookie Scotty Miller, an option to replace Perriman's production on the field, had two targets in the Bucs second drive against the Saints, but did not receive any targets for the rest of the game.
"It was definitely a learning experience for me," Miller said. "I think getting that under my belt, I played a lot of snaps, I'll be able to get in there this week and be really comfortable."
Miller played on 21 of 57 snaps, the fourth-most among Bucs wide receivers. He finished the game with no receptions, and he had one rush for 18 yards.
Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich also emphasized one of the week's themes: get the ball to Mike Evans.
Evans failure to catch a pass in last week's loss against the Saints is well documented. Leftwich said the Saints did a good job of taking Evans out of the game, but he still has to find ways to get the ball to his star receiver.
"I can do a better job there," Leftwich said. "He's too good a football player to go through a game without having a catch."
