Wide receiver Joey Galloway doesn't appear to be in the Bucs' plans, based on coach Jon Gruden's comments Tuesday at One Buc Place.

Galloway has had a limited role in the Bucs' offense since returning from groin and foot injuries and did not play in Monday's 38-23 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

In Galloway's absence, Antonio Bryant has become the Bucs' go-to receiver. Bryant had a career game against the Panthers, with nine catches for 200 yards and two touchdowns, including a spectacular one-handed grab.

''We're gonna play our best players, and Joey's had a lot go on this year with his injuries,'' Gruden said. "He's missed an awful lot of time. ... We've kind of moved on a little bit.''

Bryant's emergence is the reason Galloway isn't playing more, Gruden said.

''They play the same position,'' Gruden said. ''Right now that's just the way it is. It's just unfortunate. Michael Clayton's our flanker, Joey's a split end and so is Antonio. Those are the positions they play.”

Gruden did not sound optimistic when asked about putting Bryant and Galloway on the field at the same time.

"There's a potential for that,'' he said. "Joey's been our split end, and it sounds easy. It sounds achievable. Joey's not the kind of guy right now that's comfortable coming off the bench and playing 18-20 times a game. He's a guy who functions better when he's playing.''