Tampa Bay’s white tiger is awaiting word from the zookeeper.

Veteran WR Joey Galloway, who missed training camp and all four preseason games with a groin injury, declared himself ready to go for Sunday’s opener at New Orleans. But Galloway, dubbed the “white tiger’’ by Coach Jon Gruden, also stressed he doesn’t get to make the call.

“When coach made the white tiger comment, I think you (media) misunderstood what he was saying,’’ Galloway said Wednesday. “When you go and see the white tiger, there’s always posted times when he gets to eat. The zookeeper posts that time and coach is the zookeeper. It’s his decision on when I get to eat. I hope I get to eat on Sunday, but we will wait and see. I’m lobbying to be out there on Sunday, but that’s his call.’‘

Galloway, 36, has a history of playing well against the Saints and he comes off three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Gruden’s usual policy is to minimize Galloway’s practice time to keep him fresh for games, but the groin problem lingered throughout camp.

That could affect Galloway’s timing with QB Jeff Garcia at the Superdome.

“The funny part is these guys in the locker room are more understanding than coach is,’’ Galloway said. “These guys sort of smirk and laugh and say as long as you’re ready on Sunday, then everything’s OK. Now the zookeeper is a little different. Those days I didn’t practice, he would give it to me later at night. These guys in here I think trust me.’‘