Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

O.J. Howard possibly out rest of season with Achilles injury

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 10/4/20

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard left Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers and didn't return due to injury. He now may not play another game this season.

Howard was carted off the field in the fourth quarter of Tampa's 38-31 win with an Achilles injury. Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians believes he'll miss the remainder of the 2020 campaign, according to NFL Network's James Palmer.

Achilles usually means one thing. OJ Howard out for season. https://t.co/N00nOETkqU
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 4, 2020

Howard finished Sunday's game as the team's top tight end, reeling in three receptions for 50 yards and one touchdown. If his season truly is over, he finished with 146 yards and two touchdowns on 11 receptions.

Rob Gronkowski, who hasn't played a major role in the Buccaneers offense so far this season, probably will have to step up in Howard's absence. The same could be said for Cameron Brate.

Gronkowski reeled in one reception for 29 yards on Sunday, bringing his season total to nine receptions for 88 yards. Both Arians and Gronkowski have discussed the three-time Super Bowl champion's role in the offense, and both said he'd be playing more of a blocking game than receiving.

That could all change as the season continues, especially considering Gronkowski will likely be a much more reliable option than Brate down the stretch.

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