Bucs WR Mike Evans focused on team, not individual success
Mike Evans has no interest in debating where he ranks among the NFL’s best pass catchersJANUARY 20, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
O.J. HOWARD
One grab in playoff opener Howard brought in his only target for three yards during the Buccaneers' 31-15 win over the Eagles in an NFC wild-card matchup Sunday.
Impact Howard surprisingly saw a target after being utilized exclusively as a blocker for the last three games of the regular season. Despite the one grab Sunday, Howard has virtually no fantasy value in postseason contests as long as Rob Gronkowski and Cameron Brate are healthy in front of him.
JANUARY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Finishes season with 14 catches Howard, who did not draw a target over nine snaps in the Buccaneers' 41-17 win over the Panthers in Week 18, finished the 2021 season with 14 receptions (21 targets), 135 yards and...
Impact Hopes were high for the 2017 first-round pick as recently as last season before he suffered an Achilles tear in Week 4, and Howard was never able to truly reignite his nascent but promising 2020 connection with Tom Brady this past season. In fairness, the 27-year-old didn't exactly have much of a chance to do so, as he was increasingly utilized exclusively as a blocker down the stretch. Howard has now played out the entirety of his rookie contract, and with seemingly zero indication from the Buccaneers that there's an interest in bringing him back, the athletic but oft-injured Alabama product is virtually certain to ply his trade elsewhere in 2022.
JANUARY 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon focused on Bucs
Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon is more focused on Tom Brady and the Buccaneers than interviewing for head coaching openingsJANUARY 11, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Another stat-less game Howard logged 14 snaps in Sunday's 28-24 win over the Jets but did not draw a target.
Impact Howard now has two straight games without a target and has logged all of two looks since Week 9. The fifth-year veteran figures to remain a complete nonfactor in Week 18 against the Panthers unless coach Bruce Arians elects to sit Rob Gronkowski and Cameron Brate for significant portions of the contest ahead of the postseason.
JANUARY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
No targets on 24 snaps Howard was not targeted during the Buccaneers' 32-6 win over the Panthers on Sunday.
Impact The athletic tight end continues to profile as a complete non-factor in the air attack, irrespective of the number of absent pass-catchers in any given week. Howard's snap count was actually only seven behind position mate Cameron Brate's, but while the latter at least seems to be good for 3-to-4 targets most weeks, the former is utilized exclusively as a run blocker these days.
DECEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Minimal involvement again Howard failed to bring in his only target over 10 snaps in the Buccaneers' 9-0 loss to the Saints on Sunday night.
Impact The fifth-year veteran was once again an afterthought, even with all of Mike Evans (hamstring), Chris Godwin (knee) and Leonard Fournette (hamstring) exiting the contest early. With Antonio Brown set to step in for Godwin beginning with the Week 16 contest against the Panthers, Howard may not see even the slightest uptick in opportunity, especially if Evans also manages to avoid an absence in that contest.
DECEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Tampa Bay Buccaneers have an advantage as one of the NFL's healthiest teams
The defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers have an edge as one of the NFL's healthiest teams, Dr. Matt Provencher writes.DECEMBER 19, 2021
Another blanking on stat sheet Howard logged just five snaps from scrimmage in Sunday's 33-27 overtime win on Sunday and did not draw a target.
Impact The empty stat line has unfortunately become par for the course for Howard, who appears destined to play out the string on his Buccaneers career in uneventful fashion. The fifth-year pro has one reception for 10 yards over his last five contests and doesn't project to see any uptick in involvement as long as Rob Gronkowski and Cameron Brate remain healthy in front of him.
DECEMBER 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
No targets over six snaps Howard did not draw a target over six snaps during the Buccaneers' 30-17 win over the Falcons on Sunday.
Impact Howard's disappearing act from the offense continued Sunday, with the veteran failing to see a target for the second straight game and third time in the last four contests overall. The 27-year-old figures to continue as an afterthought in the offense as long as Rob Gronkowski and Cameron Brate are healthy in front of him.
DECEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
No catches in Week 12 win Howard did not record a target during his nine snaps from scrimmage in Sunday's 38-31 win over the Colts.
Impact The fifth-year tight end logged 13 fewer snaps than Cameron Brate and 46 less than Rob Gronkowski, leaving no doubt as to his spot on the depth chart. Howard now has all of one target over the last three contests, and Sunday's snap count was his lowest since Week 1, when he began to be worked back into action following an Achilles tear that ended his 2020 campaign.
NOVEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
One target in Gronk's return Howard secured his only target for a 10-yard gain in the Buccaneers' 30-10 win over the Giants on Monday night.
Impact Howard was third among the Buccaneers' tight ends in snap share (26 percent) and targets. With Rob Gronkowski back in action Monday night and healthy for now, Howard is likely to continue operating in a depth role during a Week 12 matchup against the Colts.
NOVEMBER 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Brady, Bucs look to end 2-game skid against improving Giants
Bruce Arians believes there’s nothing wrong with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that playing smarter and with more passion can’t solveNOVEMBER 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
No targets in Week 10 loss Howard did not see a target over his 28 snaps from scrimmage during Sunday's 29-19 loss to Washington, but his lack of looks was unrelated to the fact he committed a false start pe...
Impact The fifth-year tight end's total lack of opportunity was especially disappointing when considering Rob Gronkowski (back) remained out of action. Howard had at least shown signs of an offensive pulse over the last month-plus with multiple receptions in three of the past four games, but if Gronkowski can make it back for Monday night's game against the Giants, the Alabama product could be a non-factor for a second straight contest.
NOVEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Buccaneers visit Washington in rematch of wild-card game
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers return to where their playoff run to the Super Bowl started when they visit WashingtonNOVEMBER 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Leonard Fournette making most of 2nd chance with Buccaneers
Leonard Fournette is making the most of an opportunity to jumpstart his NFL career with what he affectionately calls “Last Chance U.”NOVEMBER 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Two grabs in loss Howard secured two of three targets for 16 yards in the Buccaneers' 36-27 loss to the Saints on Sunday.
Impact The fifth-year veteran logged 28 snaps (46% share) overall, with the fact Rob Gronkowski exited in his return after just six snaps due to back spasms certainly helping Howard's cause. The Alabama product has now produced multiple catches in three of the past four games, and if Gronkowski's back issues don't clear up over the Buccaneers' Week 9 bye, Howard could remain on the fantasy radar in Week 10 against Washington.
NOVEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Remains limited Thursday Howard (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.
Impact The Buccaneers are readying for the return of top TE Rob Gronkowski for the first time since Week 3 due to cracked and fractured ribs and a punctured lung. After getting back on the practice field Wednesday as a limited participant -- just like Howard -- Gronkowski jumped all the way to full Thursday. Howard thus appears to be the least healthy of the team's tight ends behind Gronkowski and Cameron Brate, but ultimately Friday's injury report may clear up all of their statuses for Sunday's game in New Orleans.
OCTOBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
O.J. Howard on Career High Performance vs. Eagles ' Slice Tight end O.J. Howard joins Team Reporter Casey Phillips to discuss his career high performance vs. Philadelphia & returning from injury.
OCTOBER 28, 2021 • BUCCANEERS.COM
Stays limited by ankle issue Howard (ankle) was limited in Wednesday's practice, Carmen Vitali of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Impact Howard followed a DNP/LP/FP practice regimen last week before being listed as questionable for this past Sunday's game against the Bears. He was active and logged 51 percent of the offensive snaps, but he gathered in just one of three targets for nine yards in the blowout victory. With Rob Gronkowski (ribs) back on the practice field Wednesday, the breakdown of TE snaps between him, Howard and Cameron Brate is poised to change in the near future. Whether that happens this Sunday in New Orleans is contingent upon how Gronkowski fares in his first on-field work since getting injured Week 3.
OCTOBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Held to one grab in win Howard (ankle) brought in one of three targets for nine yards in the Buccaneers' 38-3 win over the Bears on Sunday.
Impact The veteran tight end was coming off a season-best 6-49-1 line against the Eagles in Week 6, but he was right back to a minimal role Sunday despite the absences of both Antonio Brown (ankle) and Rob Gronkowski (ribs). Howard did log a solid 37 snaps, but with Gronkowski potentially back for a Week 8 matchup against the Saints, his opportunities could dry up further as early as Sunday.
OCTOBER 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Active against Bears Howard (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Bears, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.
Impact The fifth-year tight end was able to work back to full practice participation Friday, so the questionable tag he carried into the weekend always had at least a bit of skepticism attached. Howard is now officially available to help Cameron Brate shoulder the workload at tight end against the Bears in what will be Rob Gronkowski's third straight absence. The 26-year-old is coming off a season-best 6-49-1 against the Eagles in Week 6.
OCTOBER 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Questionable, despite full practice Howard (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears, despite being a full practice participant Friday.
Impact The tight end took a step forward each day, going from no participation Wednesday to limited work Thursday before logging a full practice Friday. Howard should be active for Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, but if not, Cameron Brate will get more playing time and targets. Meanwhile, top tight end Rob Gronkowski (ribs) still hasn't returned to practice and will miss a fourth straight game this weekend.
OCTOBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Logs limited practice Thursday Howard (ankle) was limited at Thursday's practice.
Impact While Greg Auman of The Athletic noted Howard was holding a helmet and didn't seem to be inhibited in the portion of the session open to the media, the Buccaneers officially put him down as a limited participant. That may just mean Howard didn't take part in any or all team drills, but in any case he's trending in the right direction in advance of Sunday's game versus the Bears. With Rob Gronkowski (ribs) still unable to practice, Howard and Cameron Brate are slated to handle tight end for a fourth consecutive contest this weekend, assuming Howard is available.
OCTOBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 7
Ryan Tannehill and the Tennessee Titans are in a great spot against the Kansas City Chiefs, though he could have to play without tackle Taylor Lewan and possibly without receiver J...OCTOBER 21, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
