Reports: Raiders release TE O.J. Howard

The Las Vegas Raiders released veteran tight end O.J. Howard, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.

The Raiders signed Howard to a one-year deal as a free agent in March, presumably to compete for the No. 1 tight end role following the trade of Darren Waller to the New York Giants.

But second-round draft pick Michael Mayer and returnee Jesper Horsted reportedly have impressed in the early days of training camp, sending Las Vegas in a different direction.

Howard, 28, a former first-round draft pick, caught 10 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games (10 starts) for the Houston Texans in 2022.

He has 129 catches and 1,882 yards receiving to go with 17 TDs in 72 career games (56 starts) with the Texans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2017-21), who selected him No. 19 overall in the 2017 draft.

Howard won Super Bowl LV with the Buccaneers following the 2020 season.