Buccaneers TE O.J. Howard Likely Out For Season With Ruptured Achilles

Update:

Following Sunday’s game, Buccaneers HC Bruce Arians told reporters that TE O.J. Howard has a ruptured Achilles and is likely down for the season.

“It looks like he has a ruptured Achilles and will probably be done for the year,” Arians said, per Jenna Laine. 

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Buccaneers TE O.J. Howard was been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday’s game after suffering an Achilles injury. 

It’s always concerning for any player to suffer an Achilles, so hopefully further tests show this isn’t a serious issue. 

Howard’s name came up during the offseason as a potential trade candidate, but the Buccaneers opted to hold on to him. 

Howard, 25, is a former first-round pick of the Buccaneers back in 2017. He signed a four-year, $11.094 million contract that included a $6.208 million signing bonus and he stands to make a base salary of $1.97 million for the 2020 season. 

Howard’s contract includes a fifth-year option that the Buccaneers picked up this offseason. It’s worth mentioning that his fifth-year option is guaranteed for injury. 

In 2020, Howard has appeared in four games for the Buccaneers and caught 11 passes for 146 yards and one touchdown.

We’ll have more regarding Howard as the news is available.