NFL Rumors: Bucs TE O.J. Howard Out for Season With Torn Achilles
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without O.J. Howard for the rest of the season after an MRI confirmed the tight end tore his Achilles tendon, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The injury occurred in the Bucs' Week 4 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. In the game, Howard recorded a touchdown reception in the third quarter as Tampa Bay mounted a comeback to win 38–31.
In his fourth NFL season, Howard recorded 146 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 11 receptions through his first four games. The tight end was selected 19th overall in the 2017 NFL draft.
Sunday's game also saw Tampa Bay's Mike Evans go down with an ankle injury, but the wide receiver returned at the end of the first quarter and recorded 122 yards and a touchdown. Evans did not participate in practice on Monday.
The Buccaneers (3-1) sit in first place in the NFC South. Tom Brady led Tampa Bay to the 17-point comeback against the Chargers and became the oldest NFL player to record five passing touchdowns in a game.
Keep up with the latest news and rumors around the NFL.
- The Dolphins will stick with Ryan Fitzpatrick as their starting quarterback over Tua Tagovailoa in Week 5.
- The Titans had no positive COVID-19 tests on Tuesday and plan to return to their practice facility on Wednesday. (Dianna Russini and Dan Graziano, ESPN)
- Falcons starting free safety Damontae Kazee will miss the rest of the NFL season with a torn Achilles tendon. (Jeremy Fowler, ESPN)
- The Houston Texans have fired coach and general manager Bill O'Brien after an 0-4 start to the season.
- Jets QB Sam Darnold may not play Sunday vs. the Cardinals. (Manish Mehta, New York Daily News)
