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{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = O. J. Howard
| image = OJ Howard and Christian Harris (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| altcaption = Howard with the Texans in = 2022
| current_team =
| caption = Howard with the Texans in 2022
| current_team number = Houston Oilers
| numberposition = [[Tight = 83end]]
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|11|18}}▼
| position = [[Tight end]]
| birth_place = [[Prattville, Alabama]], U.S.▼
▲| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|11|18}}
| death_date =
▲| birth_place = [[Prattville, Alabama]], U.S.
| death_date death_place =
| death_place height_ft = 6
| height_ft height_in = 6
| height_in weight_lbs = 6251
| high_school = [[Autauga Academy]]<br>(Prattville, Alabama)▼
| weight_lbs = 251
| college = [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]] (2013–2016)▼
▲| high_school = [[Autauga Academy]]<br>(Prattville, Alabama)
| draftyear = 2017
▲| college = [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]] (2013–2016)
| draftyear draftround = 20171
| draftround draftpick = 119
| draftpick pastteams = 19
| pastteams =
* [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] ({{NFL Year|2017}}–{{NFL Year|2021}})
* [[Buffalo Bills]] ({{NFL Year|2022}})*
* [[Houston Texans]] ({{NFL Year|2022}}–present)
* [[Las Vegas Raiders]] ({{NFL Year|2023}})*
| status = Active
| highlights status =
| highlights =
* [[Super Bowl champion]] champion ([[Super Bowl LV|LV]])
* [[College Football Playoff National Championship|CFP national champion]] ([[2016 College Football Playoff National Championship|2015]])
* [[College Football Playoff National Championship#MVPs|CFP National Championship Game Offensive MVP]] ([[2016 College Football Playoff National Championship|20152016]])
* Second-team [[List of All-SEC football teams|All-SEC]] ([[2016 All-SEC football team|2016]])
| statweek = 9
| statseason statweek = 2022
| statlabel1 statseason =
| statlabel1 = [[Reception (American football)|Receptions]]
| statvalue1 = 127129
| statlabel2 = [[Receiving yards]]
| statvalue2 = 1,847882
| statlabel3 = [[Touchdown|Receiving touchdowns]]
| statvalue3 = 17
| nflnewpfr = H/HowaO.00 = o-j-howard
| pfr = H/HowaO.00
}}
 
'''O'TerriusOterrius Jabari''' "'''O. J.'''" '''Howard''' (born November 18, 19611994) wasis an American professional [[American football|football]] [[tight end]] forwho theis [[Houstona Oilers]]free of the [[National Football League]] (NFL)agent. He played [[college football]] atfor the [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama Crimson Tide]], and was draftedselected by the [[HoustonTampa Bay OilersBuccaneers]] in the first round of the [[19862017 NFL Draftdraft]].
 
==Early yearslife==
Howard attended [[Autauga Academy]] in [[Prattville, Alabama]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ostendorf |first=Greg |date=October 5, 2012 |title=UA Game tour: Alabama commit O.J. Howard |url=http://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/football/story/_/id/8466333 |access-date=December 11, 2018 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Newberg |first=Jamie |date=November 8, 2011 |title=Watch List ATH Howard too good to be true |url=http://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/football/story/_/id/7203795 |access-date=November 12, 2022 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>
 
Howard was rated by [[Rivals.com]] and [[Scout.com]] as a five-star recruit and was ranked by both as the best [[tight end]] in his class.<ref>{{Cite web |title=O.J. Howard, 2013 Tight End |url=https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2013/o-j-howard-12036 |access-date=November 12, 2022 |website=Rivals.com |language=en-US}}</ref> He committed to the [[University of Alabama]] to play [[college football]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gould |first=Izzy |date=July 18, 2011 |title=Reports: O.J. Howard commits to Alabama |url=http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/07/reports_oj_howard_commits_to_a.html |access-date=March 8, 2021 |website=AL.com}}</ref>
 
==College career==
As a [[true freshman]] at Alabama in 2013, Howard played in 13 games with five starts. He made his collegiate debut with three [[football catch|receptions]] for 68 yards in a victory over Texas A&M.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alabama at Texas A&M Box Score, September 14, 2013 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2013-09-14-texas-am.html |access-date=March 26, 2018 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> On October 19, against Arkansas, he scored his first collegiate [[touchdown]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arkansas at Alabama Box Score, October 19, 2013 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2013-10-19-alabama.html |access-date=March 26, 2018 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> In his next game, a victory over LSU, he had a 52-yard receiving touchdown.<ref>{{Cite web |title=LSU at Alabama Box Score, November 9, 2013 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2013-11-09-alabama.html |access-date=March 26, 2018 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He finished the year with 14 receptions for 269 yards and two [[touchdowns]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Ken |date=August 12, 2014 |title=Tide expects to utilize tight end O.J. Howard more often |url=http://www.dothaneagle.com/sports/alabama/tide-expects-to-utilize-tight-end-o-j-howard-more/article_56ef257a-229e-11e4-9d2c-0017a43b2370.html |access-date=March 8, 2021 |website=Dothan Eagle}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=O.J. Howard 2013 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/oj-howard-1/gamelog/2013/ |access-date=March 26, 2018 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> As a sophomore in 2014, he had 17 receptions for 260 yards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=O.J. Howard 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/oj-howard-1/gamelog/2014/ |access-date=November 15, 2017 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> His best performance of the season was when he had three receptions for 81 yards in a loss to Ole Miss.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alabama at Ole Miss Box Score, October 4, 2014 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2014-10-04-mississippi.html |access-date=March 26, 2018 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> As a junior in 2015, Howard had 38 receptions for 602 yards and 2 touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=O.J. Howard 2015 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/oj-howard-1/gamelog/2015/ |access-date=November 15, 2017 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He was the Offensive MVP of Alabama's victory over [[2015 Clemson Tigers football team|Clemson]] in the [[2016 College Football Playoff National Championship]] after recording five receptions for 208 yards and two touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zenitz |first=Matt |date=January 12, 2016 |title=O.J. Howard, Eddie Jackson named national championship game MVPs |url=http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2016/01/oj_howard_eddie_jackson_named.html |access-date=March 8, 2021 |website=AL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Braziller |first=Zach |date=January 12, 2016 |title=No-name tight end becomes name Alabama fans will never forget |url=https://nypost.com/2016/01/12/no-name-tight-end-becomes-name-alabama-fans-will-never-forget/ |access-date=March 8, 2021 |website=New York Post}}</ref> As a senior in 2016, he had 45 receptions for 595 yards and three touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=O.J. Howard 2016 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/oj-howard-1/gamelog/2016 |access-date=March 26, 2018 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> His best performance of the season came in the National Championship rematch against Clemson. In the 35–31 loss, he had four receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown.<ref>{{Cite web |title=College Football Championship – Clemson vs Alabama Box Score, January 9, 2017 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2017-01-09-alabama.html |access-date=March 26, 2018 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
 
Howard was considered by some to be underutilized in the Crimson Tide offense despite back to back seasons recording the most receptions ever for a tight end under Saban at Alabama.<ref name="snb">{{Cite web |last=Stiles |first=Adam |date=January 27, 2017 |title=O.J. Howard is shining at the Senior Bowl and has no idea why Alabama hardly used him |url=https://www.sbnation.com/2017/1/27/14400150/oj-howard-senior-bowl-2017-alabama-nfl-draft |access-date=February 10, 2017 |publisher=SB Nation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Schad |first=Joe |date=February 4, 2017 |title=2017 NFL Draft: Why Miami Dolphins must consider TE O.J. Howard |work=Palm Beach Post |url=http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2017/02/04/2017-nfl-draft-why-miami-dolphins-must-consider-te-o-j-howard/ |access-date=February 10, 2017}}</ref> When asked about Howard's role in the offense after the 2016 season, Saban said, "O.J., quite honestly, should have been more involved all year long."<ref name="snb" />
Line 57 ⟶ 58:
Howard played for the South team in the [[2017 Senior Bowl]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Emma |first=Chris |date=January 26, 2017 |title=Emma: Alabama TE O.J. Howard Has Star Potential In NFL |url=http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/01/26/emma-alabama-oj-howard-nfl-draft-senior-bowl-chicago-bears/ |access-date=February 10, 2017 |website=CBS Sports}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Arkush |first=Arthur |last2=Fishbain |first2=Kevin |date=January 24, 2017 |title=Senior Bowl South Notebook: Alabama TE O.J. Howard as advertised in first practice |work=Lincoln Journal Star |url=http://journalstar.com/sports/football/senior-bowl-south-notebook-alabama-te-o-j-howard-as/article_3c3ed09c-5229-529d-92a1-901f9882cadb.html |access-date=February 10, 2017}}</ref> He has stated that he tries to model his play off of [[Jason Witten]], [[Jimmy Graham]], and [[Jordan Reed]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Triplett |first=Mike |date=January 27, 2017 |title=Alabama TE O.J. Howard 'most complete player' at Senior Bowl |url=http://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/229834/alabama-te-o-j-howard-most-complete-player-at-senior-bowl |access-date=February 10, 2017 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref>
 
===StatisticsCollege statistics===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! colspan="7" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Alabama Crimson Tide}}" | O. J. Howard
|-
! style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Alabama Crimson Tide}}"| Season !! style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Alabama Crimson Tide}}"| Team !! style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Alabama Crimson Tide}}"| GP !! style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Alabama Crimson Tide}}"| Rec !! style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Alabama Crimson Tide}}"| Yds !! style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Alabama Crimson Tide}}"| Avg !! style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Alabama Crimson Tide}}"| TD
! Season !! Team !! GP !! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! TD
|-
! [[2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2013]] || [[2013 Alabama Crimson Tide football team|Alabama]]
Line 79:
 
==Professional career==
===Pre-draft===
Coming out of college, Howard was projected as a first round pick by the majority of NFL experts and scouts. He received an invitation to the [[Senior Bowl]] and chose to participate although he was already a first round prospect. He was able to raise his stock by having a significant week of practice for the Senior Bowl and was voted by a panel of scouts as Senior Bowl's top practice player of the week.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodbread |first=Chase |date=January 28, 2017 |title=Scouts vote O.J. Howard Senior Bowl's top practice player |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000780137/article/scouts-vote-oj-howard-senior-bowls-top-practice-player |access-date=May 18, 2017 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> Howard finished the game with four catches
Coming out of college, Howard was projected as a first round pick by the majority of NFL experts and scouts. He received an invitation to the [[Senior Bowl]] and chose to participate although he was already a first round prospect. He was able to raise his stock by having a significant week of practice for the Senior Bowl and was voted by a panel of scouts as Senior Bowl's top practice player of the week.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodbread |first=Chase |date=January 28, 2017 |title=Scouts vote O.J. Howard Senior Bowl's top practice player |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000780137/article/scouts-vote-oj-howard-senior-bowls-top-practice-player |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128190958/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000780137/article/scouts-vote-oj-howard-senior-bowls-top-practice-player |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 28, 2017 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> Howard finished the game with four catches
for 39 receiving yards, helping the South defeat the North 16–15.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodbread |first=Chase |date=January 28, 2017 |title=What we learned from Senior Bowl: Zay Jones boosts draft stock |url=httphttps://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000780164/article/what-we-learned-from-senior-bowl-zay-jones-boosts-draft-stock-0ap3000000780164 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> He attended the [[NFL Scouting Combine|NFL Combine]] and completed all the required combine and positional drills. At Alabama's [[Pro Day]], he chose to only run positional drills for the representatives and scouts. Howard was ranked the top tight end in the draft by ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'', [[ESPN]], [[Pro Football Focus]], NFLDraftScout.com, NFL analyst [[Mike Mayock]], and NFL analyst [[Bucky Brooks]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Chris |date=April 28, 2017 |title=2017 NFL draft rankings: Top prospects by position |url=https://www.si.com/2017-nfl-draft-position-rankings |access-date=May 18, 2017 |website=SI.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Legwold |first=Jeff |date=April 22, 2017 |title=Ranking 2017 Draft's Top 100 Prospects |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2017/story/_/id/19180310/ranking-top-100-prospects-available-2017-nfl-draft-espn-nfl-nation-reporter-jeff-legwold |access-date=May 18, 2017 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Palazzolo |first=Steve |date=January 10, 2017 |title=Top 32 Prospects for the 2017 NFL Draft |url=https://www.profootballfocus.com/draft-college-football-top-32-prospects-for-the-2017-nfl-draft/ |access-date=May 18, 2017 |website=profootballfocus.com}}</ref>
{{nfl predraft
| height ft = 6
Line 97 ⟶ 98:
| arm span = 33 3/4
| hand span = 10
| note = All values from [[NFL Combine]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles – O.J. Howard |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/o.j.-howard?id=2557856 |website=www.nfl[[NFL.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |year=2017 |title=O.J. Howard, DS #1 TE, Alabama |url=http://www.draftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=127336&draftyear=2017&genpos= |access-date=December 11, 2018 |website=www.draftscout.com}}</ref>
}}
 
Line 103 ⟶ 104:
 
[[File:OJ Howard (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Howard with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2018]]
 
The [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] selected Howard in the first round (19th overall) of the [[2017 NFL Draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 27, 2017 |title=Buccaneers select O.J. Howard with 19th pick of the NFL Draft |url=https://www.wsfa.com/story/35272652/buccaneers-select-oj-howard-with-19th-pick-of-the-nfl-draft |access-date=November 12, 2022 |website=WSFA.com |language=en}}</ref> He was only the second Alabama tight end selected in the first round in the common draft era, after [[Ozzie Newsome]] in [[1978 NFL Draft|1978]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alabama Drafted Players/Alumni |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/alabama/drafted.htm |access-date=November 12, 2022 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> On May 22, 2017, Howard signed with the Buccaneers, a four-year deal worth $11 million featuring a $6.2 million signing bonus.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 22, 2017 |title=Transactions: O.J. Howard signs rookie deal with Bucs |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/transactions-o-j-howard-signs-rookie-deal-with-bucs-0ap3000000810235 |access-date=November 12, 2022 |website=NFL.com |publisher=SEC Country |language=en-US}}</ref>▼
 
====2017 season====
▲The [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] selected Howard in the first round (19th overall) of the [[2017 NFL Draftdraft]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 27, 2017 |title=Buccaneers select O.J. Howard with 19th pick of the NFL Draft |url=https://www.wsfa.com/story/35272652/buccaneers-select-oj-howard-with-19th-pick-of-the-nfl-draft |access-date=November 12, 2022 |website=WSFA.com |language=en}}</ref> He was only the second Alabama tight end selected in the first round in the common draft era, after [[Ozzie Newsome]] in [[1978 NFL Draftdraft|1978]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alabama Drafted Players/Alumni |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/alabama/drafted.htm |access-date=November 12, 2022 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> On May 22, 2017, Howard signed with the Buccaneers, a four-year deal worth $11 million featuring a $6.2 million signing bonus.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 22, 2017 |title=Transactions: O.J. Howard signs rookie deal with Bucs |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/transactions-o-j-howard-signs-rookie-deal-with-bucs-0ap3000000810235 |access-date=November 12, 2022 |website=NFL.com |publisher=SEC Country |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
Howard entered the regular season as one of the starting tight ends along with veteran [[Cameron Brate]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2017 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Starters, Roster, & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/tam/2017_roster.htm |access-date=December 11, 2018 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
 
Due to [[Hurricane Irma]], the Buccaneers had to move their Week 1 game to later in the season. On September 17, 2017, in Week 2, Howard made his professional regular season debut and caught one reception for 17-yards in the Buccaneers 29–7 victory over the [[2017 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – September 17th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201709170tam.htm |access-date=October 31, 2017 |website=[[Pro-Football-Reference.com]]}}</ref> In Week 4, against the New York Giants, he recorded a 58-yard reception for the first touchdown of his career.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – October 1st, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201710010tam.htm |access-date=November 5, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> In Week 7, against the [[Buffalo Bills]], he had a breakout game with six receptions for 98 yards and two touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Buffalo Bills – October 22nd, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201710220buf.htm |access-date=November 5, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He was placed on [[injured reserve]] on December 20, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=December 20, 2017 |title=Standout Rookies Among Five Bucs Headed to IR |url=http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Standout-Rookies-Among-Five-Bucs-Headed-to-IR/b5203974-8b43-4612-a385-24deb30cb4e4 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223235108/http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Standout-Rookies-Among-Five-Bucs-Headed-to-IR/b5203974-8b43-4612-a385-24deb30cb4e4 |archive-date=December 23, 2017 |website=Buccaneers.com}}</ref> He started the first 14 games his rookie season, finishing with 26 receptions for 432 yards and six touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=O.J. Howard 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HowaO.00/gamelog/2017/ |access-date=March 26, 2018 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
 
====2018 season====
In Week 2, against the [[2018 Philadelphia Eagles|Philadelphia Eagles]], Howard recorded a 75-yard touchdown reception from quarterback [[Ryan Fitzpatrick]] as part of a 96-yard performance in the victory.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Inabinett |first=Mark |date=September 16, 2018 |title=Check out O.J. Howard's 75-yard touchdown catch |url=https://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2018/09/check_out_oj_howards_75-yard_t.html |access-date=October 5, 2018 |website=AL.com |language=en-US}}</ref> In Week 9, against the [[2018 Carolina Panthers|Carolina Panthers]], he recorded two receiving touchdowns in the loss.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dajani |first=Jordan |date=November 4, 2018 |title=O.J. Howard records his second TD of the day against Carolina |url=https://247sports.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/Article/OJ-Howard-second-touchdown-Panthers-124257986/ |access-date=December 11, 2018 |website=247 Sports |language=en-US}}</ref> On November 20, 2018, he was placed on injured reserve after suffering foot and ankle injuries in Week 11.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=November 20, 2018 |title=Bucs Lose O.J. Howard to IR, Sign DB Josh Shaw |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-lose-o-j-howard-to-ir-sign-db-josh-shaw |access-date=November 12, 2022 |website=Buccaneers.com}}</ref> He finished the season with 34 receptions for 565 yards and five touchdowns in ten games and eight starts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=O.J. Howard 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HowaO.00.htm |access-date=December 11, 2018 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
 
====2019 season====
Line 118 ⟶ 119:
 
====2020 season====
On April 29, 2020, the Buccaneers exercised the fifth-year option on Howard's contract,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=April 29, 2020 |title=Bucs Exercise Fifth-Year Option on O.J. Howard |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/o-j-howard-fifth-year-option-bucs-te |access-date=September 19, 2020 |website=Buccaneers.com}}</ref> worth $6.013 million guaranteed for the 2021 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=O.J. Howard |url=https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/houston-texans/oj-howard-21760/ |access-date=November 12, 2022 |website=Spotrac.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Howard recorded three catches for 50 yards and a touchdown during the 38–31 win over the [[2020 Los Angeles Chargers|Los Angeles Chargers]] in Week 4.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Josh |date=October 4, 2020 |title=Buccaneers vs. Chargers final score: Tom Brady rallies Tampa to win over rookie Justin Herbert |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/buccaneers-vs-chargers-score-live-updates-game-stats-highlights-tv-channel-streaming-info-for-week-4/live/ |access-date=October 6, 2020 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref> He suffered a torn Achilles in the game, and was placed on injured reserve on October 6, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=October 6, 2020 |title=Cyril Grayson Promoted as O.J. Howard Lands on I.R. |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/cyril-grayson-promoted-o-j-howard-injured-reserve-roster-moves |access-date=November 12, 2022 |website=Buccaneers.com |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203114057/https://www.buccaneers.com/news/cyril-grayson-promoted-o-j-howard-injured-reserve-roster-moves |url-status=dead }}</ref> He would go on to win his first Super Bowl ring with the team despite him not playing in the game due to injury as Tampa Bay beat the [[2020 Kansas City Chiefs|Kansas City Chiefs]] by a score of 31–9 in [[Super Bowl LV]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=February 7, 2021 |title=What we learned from Buccaneers win over Chiefs in Super Bowl LV |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/what-we-learned-from-buccaneers-win-over-chiefs-in-super-bowl-lv |access-date=March 8, 2021 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
====2021 season====
Line 127 ⟶ 128:
 
===Houston Texans===
On September 2, 2022, Howard signed with the [[Houston Texans]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 2, 2022 |title=Houston Texans Transactions (9-2-2022) |url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-9-2-2022 |website=HoustonTexans.com |publisher=Houston Texans Public Relations}}</ref> In the Texans' 2022 regular season opener, Howard had two receiving touchdowns in the 20–20 tie to the [[2022 Indianapolis Colts|Indianapolis Colts]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans - September 11th, 2022 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202209110htx.htm |access-date=November 12, 2022 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
 
===Las Vegas Raiders===
On March 20, 2023, Howard signed with the [[Las Vegas Raiders]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/o-j-howard-signs-raiders-tight-end-nfl-2023-free-agency-transactions|work=Raiders.com|title=Raiders sign TE O.J. Howard|date=March 20, 2023|accessdate=March 20, 2023|author=Raiders Public Relations}}</ref> He was released on August 1, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bouda |first=Nate |date=2023-08-01 |title=Raiders Release TE O.J. Howard, Re-Sign QB Chase Garbers |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/raiders-release-te-o-j-howard-re-sign-qb-chase-garbers/ |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
==NFL career statistics==
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==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{footballstats|pfr=H/HowaO.00|yahoo=30132|espn=3043080}}
*{{Twitter}}
*[https://www.houstontexans.com/team/players-roster/o-j-howard/ Houston Texans bio]
*[http://www.rolltide.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3122 Alabama Crimson Tide bio]
 
{{Houston Texans roster navbox}}
{{Navboxes
|title=O. J. Howard—awards, championships, and honors
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[[Category:American football tight ends]]
[[Category:Buffalo Bills players]]
[[Category:PeoplePlayers of American football from Prattville, Alabama]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Alabama]]
[[Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players]]
[[Category:Ed Block Courage Award recipients]]
[[Category:Houston Texans players]]
[[Category:Las Vegas Raiders players]]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O._J._Howard"