Bucs TE O.J. Howard (hamstring) remained sidelined on Thursday, but TE Cameron Brate (ribs) returned to a limited practice. We're tentatively expecting Brate to play against the Seahawks this weekend, but check back tomorrow for another update.

Buccaneers TE O.J. Howard returned to the practice field at the end of July, but that doesn't mean he's all the way back physically, coming off the Achilles' tendon tear that ended his 2020 season. “He’s not there yet," HC Bruce Arians said in his Monday press conference. "He had a chance to make a couple grimy chances in the end zone today [and] didn’t come up with them. I expect him to make those. He’s still catching up to the speed of it and the physicality of it. He’s been out a long time, so he needs this camp.” Howard remains a later-round flier in all formats, so it's easy to take on the risk that he doesn't rebound all the way. The upside, of course, is that he does get back close to 100% of his previous level and takes the receiving lead among Tampa Bay TEs. We'll see how he progresses through the rest of camp and preseason.

Bucs TE O.J. Howard practiced Friday for the first time since suffering a torn Achilles in October. Barring a setback, he appears on track for Week 1. The former 1st-rounder is in play as a late-round TE3 in FFPC best balls.

Bucs TE O.J. Howard remains on track in his recovery from October's torn Achilles. “Yeah, he’s really close now,” HC Bruce Arians said. “He looks fantastic working out every day.” Howard is tentatively expected to be able to get some work in during June minicamp and sure seems to be trending toward being ready for Week 1. Anything QB Tom Brady and the Bucs get from him this year will be a bonus. Note that Howard out-targeted Rob Gronkowski 19 to 14 over the first 4 games of last season.

Bucs TE O.J. Howard has been setback-free so far in his recovery from October's torn Achilles, HC Bruce Arians said Tuesday. Arians added that Howard is "real close" to getting back to pre-injury form, although that seems optimistic for an injury that often takes a year-plus to return from. It does sound like he has a good chance to be ready for the start of the 2021 campaign. It's worth remembering that Howard out-targeted TE Rob Gronkowski 19 to 14 over the first 4 games of last season.

Bucs TE O.J. Howard will miss the rest of the season with his Achilles injury, according to NFL Network's James Palmer. Howard had been playing a significant role, tallying 19 targets through 4 games. His absence should mean more action for TEs Rob Gronkowski and Cameron Brate, plus Tampa's WRs.