O.J. Howard - Page 5 - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

One catch in preseason win Howard brought in his only target for five yards in the Buccaneers' 23-16 preseason win over the Texans on Saturday night.

Impact Although Howard only had the one catch, Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times notes it was a key one, with the big tight end bringing in the reception on third down in the red zone to set up the Buccaneers' second touchdown. By all accounts, Howard has looked like he's progressively shed rust this summer, and he should enjoy a solid role in the game plan in the Week 1 showdown against the Cowboys on Thursday, Sept. 9.

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Solid in preseason loss Howard secured three of six targets for 24 yards in the Buccaneers' 34-3 preseason loss to the Titans on Saturday night.

Impact A week after celebrating his return to action following his Achilles tear with a 15-yard grab against the Bengals last Saturday, Howard took matters a step further with a strong effort versus Tennessee. The talented but oft-injured tight end seems to be rounding into shape nicely ahead of Week 1, and with a healthy six targets on the night, it appears the Buccaneers wanted to make sure to get him plenty of reps. Considering he's working back from a long layoff, Howard could potentially be one of the few Bucs' starting skill-position players that logs appreciable time in next Saturday's preseason finale against the Texans.

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ranking the biggest concerns for each NFC South team in 2021

From QB issues to what might stop the GOAT from getting another ring, former NFL GM Randy Mueller breaks down the NFC South.

AUGUST 16, 2021 • FOX SPORTS

Ranking the biggest concerns for each NFC South team in 2021

Makes long-awaited return Howard (Achilles) secured his only target for 15 yards in the Buccaneers' 19-14 preseason loss to the Bengals on Saturday night.

Impact Howard's one grab in his first taste of game action since Week 4 of last season was particularly timely, as it came on a third down during the Buccaneers' second drive, one that would ultimately culminate in a Ke'Shawn Vaughn touchdown run. Howard seemed to pass his first in-game test without any setbacks after putting in solid work over the first couple weeks of camp, and he could therefore be due for a boost in workload in the Buccaneers' second preseason game against the Titans on Saturday.

AUGUST 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

O.J. Howard 'not there yet' in comeback from injury The former Alabama standout feels good at Tampa Bay’s training camp as he works his way back into form.

AUGUST 10, 2021 • AL.COM

No limitations in practice Howard (Achilles) was eased into training camp but now appears to be practicing without any significant limitations, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Impact Coming back from a torn Achilles suffered Week 4 last year, Howard seems to be on track for the regular-season opener and could play in an exhibition this August. His path to regular targets is less clear, as the Bucs also have Rob Gronkowski and Cameron Brate at tight end, not to mention one of the best wideout groups in the NFL.

AUGUST 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

PFF proclaims Buccaneers – not Chiefs or Cowboys – have NFL's best receiving corps

Does Tampa Bay's receiving corps outrank Kansas City's? PFF thinks so, but Nick Wright begs to differ.

AUGUST 4, 2021 • FOX SPORTS

PFF proclaims Buccaneers – not Chiefs or Cowboys – have NFL's best receiving corps

O.J. Howard's Goal: 17-Plus Weeks of Availability During his long recovery from last year's Achilles tendon injury, TE O.J. Howard studied the best in the game at his position but also learn...

AUGUST 3, 2021 • BUCCANEERS.COM

Returns to practice Friday Howard (Achilles) was participating at Friday's practice, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The 26-year-old took things easy for the few days of camp as he makes his return from the ruptured Achilles he suffered in Week 4 last year, but he's practicing for the first time Friday. Howard appeared to be taking part in some 11-on-11 work, which signals he's on track to be available for the start of the regular season in early September.

JULY 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Star-crossed tight end Jake Butt retires from NFL

Tight end Jake Butt has retired from the NFL as he acknowledged he'd lost the passion for the game he loves but which cost him so much

JULY 29, 2021 • Associated Press

Not yet practicing Howard (Achilles) was present at Sunday's practice but did not participate, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Coach Bruce Arians said in early June that Howard was "really close" to returning, but the tight end apparently isn't quite ready to retake the field. The 26-year-old suffered a ruptured Achilles during Week 4 last year and missed the rest of the season, so it won't be surprising to see him slowly ramp things up early in training camp.

JULY 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Buccaneers News: Tampa Bay Gets Concerning O.J. Howard Injury Update The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be searching for their second of back-to-back championships in the 2021 NFL, but first, they need to focus on...

JULY 25, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM

Closing in on return Coach Bruce Arians indicated Tuesday that Howard (Achilles) is "really close" to returning, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.

Impact Howard played just four games last season due to injury and racked up 11 catches for 146 yards and a pair of touchdowns in his brief campaign. Even when Howard is back in a full capacity, he'll have to contend with Rob Gronkowski and Cameron Brate for snaps at a loaded tight end spot for the Bucs.

JUNE 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Bucs’ O.J. Howard missed a Super Bowl season but gained so much more The tight end ruptured his Achilles in October. About a week later, the birth of his daughter helped to ease the pain.

JUNE 3, 2021 • TAMPABAY.COM

Super Bowl champions address wants, not needs in NFL draft

Theoretically, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could have opted out of the NFL draft and still felt good about their chances of repeating as Super Bowl champions

MAY 2, 2021 • Associated Press

AP source: RB Bernard agrees to 1-year deal with Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have added yet another offensive playmaker for Tom Brady

APRIL 13, 2021 • Associated Press

Pitts puts on show at Florida's pro day for NFL evaluators

There was no shortage of Kyle Pitts highlights at Florida’s pro day Wednesday

MARCH 31, 2021 • Associated Press

O.J. Howard a 'Huge Addition' for 2021 Bucs Bruce Arians says

MARCH 31, 2021 • BUCCANEERS.COM

Progressing well Coach Bruce Arians indicated Tuesday that Howard is "real close" to completing his recovery from an Achilles injury, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Per the report, Howard -- who suffered a ruptured Achilles last October -- isn't running on grass yet, but the 2017 first-rounder hasn't had any setbacks. With that in mind, Arians says "the sky's the limit" for Howard this coming season. Of course, with Rob Gronkowski and Cameron Brate also in the Buccaneers' tight end mix, steady volume figures to be an issue for Howard upon his return to game action.

MARCH 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

O.J. Howard or Cameron Brate: More likely Buccaneers Tight End cap casualty? Chances are high that the Buccaneers will have to part ways with one of their two tight ends to save money, but which one? It's a tale as ol...

MARCH 1, 2021 • THEPEWTERPLANK.COM

Entering contact year in '21 Howard finished the 2020 regular season with 11 receptions (19 targets) for 146 yards and two touchdowns across four games before suffering his season-ending Achilles injury Week 4...

Impact Howard's 2020 campaign will go down in the books as a prototypical case of a substantial missed opportunity for both player and team. The fourth-year pro appeared to have instant rapport with Tom Brady and had already been targeted 19 times over 132 snaps before going down for the season. The early exit was unfortunately nothing new for the 2017 first-round pick, who's yet to play a full 16 game slate in any of his first four NFL campaigns. Howard has flashed plenty of potential at times and could well have been on his way to a career-best year in 2020; while that possibility was ultimately derailed, he'll certainly have no shortage of motivation to prove himself in his 2021 contract year, when he'll carry a cap hit of just over $6 million as per Spotrac.

FEBRUARY 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

O.J. Howard, Bruce Arians are now Super Bowl champions The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 in Super Bowl LV on Sunday night. Yes, that means Tom Brady won ring No. 7, but th...

FEBRUARY 8, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Brady, improved defense keys to Bucs winning Super Bowl

Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won’t be denied

FEBRUARY 5, 2021 • Associated Press

Brady, productive drafts fuel Tampa Bay's run to Super Bowl

Construction of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers began long before Tom Brady decided the once-downtrodden team had most of what he needed to have an opportunity to build on his legacy of c...

JANUARY 30, 2021 • Associated Press

Bucs, Browns, Bills out to follow footsteps of champ Chiefs

Three teams left in the NFL playoffs are long-suffering franchises trying to do what the Kansas City Chiefs did last year when they won their first title after decades of trying

JANUARY 14, 2021 • Associated Press

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