Las Vegas Raiders release tight end O.J. Howard

The Las Vegas Raiders are releasing tight end O.J. Howard, according to a report from Vincent Bonsignor. Howard signed a one-year deal for $1.23 million with the Raiders in March after spending a season with the Houston Texans.

Following the release of the former first-rounder, the Raiders also added quarterback Chase Garbers to the roster, Bonsignor shared. Garbers previously worked out for the Seattle Seahawks. The former Cal star hasn’t recorded any stats yet in the NFL.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Howard with the No. 19 overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Alabama.

He spent five seasons in Tampa Bay and was most productive in his first three years with the Bucs. He had 119 catches for 1,737 yards and 15 touchdowns, and after the 2021 season was signed to a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills. The Bills released Howard on August 30, 2022, and the Texans signed him one week later.

In Week 1 with the Texans last season, he caught two catches for 38 yards and two touchdowns. However, he finished the year with just 10 receptions for 145 yards.

In his four years in Tuscaloosa, he hauled in 114 receptions for 1,726 yards and seven touchdowns, having some of his best career performances in College Football Playoff games.

On3’s Kaiden Smith contributed to this report.