"It builds every week, simmering just below the surface, looking for an outlet.

It's the frustration Reggie Wayne deals with after another Indianapolis Colts loss, more than likely another game in which the five-time Pro Bowl receiver looked on helplessly, meticulously ran route after route and, if he was lucky, caught a pass or two.

Maybe today is different. Maybe Wayne will be more involved in an offense that has been pass-challenged and an eyesore without quarterback Peyton Manning. Maybe Wayne will re-emerge as a playmaker and make a difference against the Carolina Panthers at Lucas Oil Stadium, and the Colts won't open a season 0-11 for just the second time.

"I always feel 'this week' I'm going to have a big game," Wayne said, relaxing in a custom-made lounge chair in front of his cubicle in the locker room. "So, (today) is going to be my big game of the year. Won't be hard, you know what I mean?"

The best game of Wayne's 11th season with the Colts was the opener at Houston: seven catches, 106 yards, a meaningless 6-yard touchdown with 9:17 left in a 34-7 loss.

After that, four catches or fewer in seven of nine games. Fewer than 60 yards in six. A modest 42 catches for 530 yards on the season.

This from someone looking to post an eighth consecutive 1,000-yard season, which would tie former teammate Marvin Harrison, Cris Carter and Torry Holt for the third-longest such streak in NFL history. Over the previous seven seasons, Wayne averaged 92 receptions and 1,264 yards, both league highs.

So, the frustration builds, and nearly spilled out of every pore two weeks ago in the 17-3 loss to Jacksonville. His first reception came with less than two minutes remaining in the third quarter. It gained zero yards. By game's end, he had just three catches for 13 yards. He had been targeted only six times by quarterbacks Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky.

Wayne admitted he has had to fight the urge to give anyone within earshot an earful, go all Keyshawn Johnson and scream, "Just give me the damn ball!""