Bruce Arians Expects O.J. Howard To Be Ready For Minicamp
May 15th, 2021
Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians.
On June 7, Bucs veterans are expected to file into One Buc Palace for mandatory minicamp. Among them is tight end O.J. Howard.
Last season, Howard was lost for the season in Week 4 against the Chargers when he blew out his Achilles. This afternoon after the second day of Bucs rookie minicamp, Arians said the way Howard has bounced back during his rehab, he expects Howard to attend veterans mandatory minicamp in early June.
“Yeah, he’s really close now,” Arians said. “He looks fantastic working out every day.”
As for starting right guard Alex Cappa, who fractured an ankle against Washington in the playoffs and was lost for the season, Arians isn’t sure.
“I haven’t seen Cap,” Arians said. “He’ll be in soon, but from what I’m hearing he’s working out really, really well and doing well. I see O.J. every day.
“I can’t answer that right now [if Cappa can go in minicamp in June]. I can say there’s a real good chance, [but] I can’t swear to it.”
Regarding Howard, a blown Achilles is a major injury. Former Bucs quarterback Jim Miller, co-host of “Movin’ the Chains” heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio, blew out his Achilles in his career, which he talks about often on his show. He said he was never the same player after the injury.
If Howard can come back close to or even at his same physical level prior to the injury, that’s just one more dangerous weapon the Bucs have in their already loaded passing attack.
May 15th, 2021 at 8:54 pm
Cappa too … ???
May 15th, 2021 at 8:57 pm
So excited to see what O.J. will do this season. The guy is a beast of talent.
May 15th, 2021 at 9:16 pm
As Arians said in the story, he’s not sure.
May 15th, 2021 at 9:57 pm
Jim Miller was a walking M.A.S.H. Unit. Had every injury on the face of the planet (twice). As long as O.J. gives us juice in the playoffs, that’s all i want.
May 15th, 2021 at 9:57 pm
Should be interesting to see what OJ does. It seemed at the beginning of the year Brady was taking a liking to him.
So many weapons though, it seems like it will be hard for so many to stand out. I fully expect Evans and Godwin to break 1000 yards though.
Here’s to everyone staying healthy 🍻
May 15th, 2021 at 11:14 pm
Hope it doesn’t have an effect on his career like the internet to Penny hardaway. Don’t know if he could be elite without his speed and explosiveness
May 15th, 2021 at 11:34 pm
Let’s change his name to I.F. Howard.
Because you can’ t say his name without saying IF.
May 16th, 2021 at 12:35 am
I’m ready for a Cappa vs Stinnie battle for RG.
May 16th, 2021 at 1:37 am
Jim Miller was a walking m.a.s.h. unit??? What’s O.J. Howard???
Not trying to disrespect the guy but he never put it together and it’s been 4 yrs , going on 5. Last year was his best chance to finally break out and now a tough injury and half dozen other weapons. Safe to say he never will have warranted that 1st rd pick.
May 16th, 2021 at 7:04 am
I’m not that excited about the return of OJ Howard. Will someone please let me know what has he done for us since being drafted 2017,4 yrs that is. With his size n speed, I don’t see anything in him remotely close to the likes of Kelcey, Kittle, Gronk, or even Brate. What I have seen in OJ is him failing to clear the a path for Barber on a key block by evading the defender. That was awful. How bout the fumbles made or passes he’s missed that were right in his hands. Or being chased out of bounds by a 190 lbs corner when he clearly had nothing but real estate towards the endzone, he could’ve easily stiff armed the defender. OJ is a passive player with no heart he’s just a big body with speed that was drafted from a program with a system that made him look elite. Again, what has he done for us lately.
May 16th, 2021 at 7:06 am
Can you imagine a 2/3 TE set with OJ/Gronk/Brate along with 2 of the Bucs receivers and a pass catching RB in the backfield on 2nd and 6? A DC nightmare. The Bucs should dominate time of possession this year.
May 16th, 2021 at 7:06 am
A healthy OJ is a huge asset to our offense……saves snaps for Gronk & Brate…..and adds another big target….wish him well.
May 16th, 2021 at 7:30 am
Should have picked up a couple of undrafted tight ends, Tanner Hudson leaves a lot to be desired and Brate or OJ will have more injury issues just saying.
May 16th, 2021 at 7:32 am
I think there is a hidden message to Cappa, Better start coming into the team weight room . Make an appearance . Perhaps he is on his way out and Stinson is stepping in.
May 16th, 2021 at 7:33 am
Simply cannot image he will be the same player after the surgery.
Too bad he didn’t have a healthy year with Brady
May 16th, 2021 at 8:12 am
That’s funny. I expect him to be hutmrt by week 4 again.
May 16th, 2021 at 9:20 am
It takes some young men time to reach their potential. OJ maybe one of those guys. It appeared like last year he was turning into the player everyone expected him to be. That being said, this is a very difficult injury to come back from 100%. It will be interesting to see how he is able to respond from this injury. We all wish him the best.
May 16th, 2021 at 9:37 am
dmatt Says:
May 16th, 2021 at 7:04 am
I’m not that excited about the return of OJ Howard. Will someone please let me know what has he done for us since being drafted 2017,4 yrs that is. With his size n speed, I don’t see anything in him remotely close to the likes of Kelcey, Kittle, Gronk, or even Brate. What I have seen in OJ is him failing to clear the a path for Barber on a key block by evading the defender. That was awful. How bout the fumbles made or passes he’s missed that were right in his hands. Or being chased out of bounds by a 190 lbs corner when he clearly had nothing but real estate towards the endzone, he could’ve easily stiff armed the defender. OJ is a passive player with no heart he’s just a big body with speed that was drafted from a program with a system that made him look elite. Again, what has he done for us lately.
Sounds like Howard took your girl or something.
Even if oj would have made that block for barber, Barber would still have been tackled. We literally have a team where we can continue to develope players even in their 5th year. Some of you guys call yourselves bucs fans. I loved jameis until the day he was no longer a buc, but now it’s f**k jameis I hated to root for tb12 until he became a freaking buc. So in others if you’re on my team I will ride until the wheels fall off
May 16th, 2021 at 9:39 am
⬆️Once again, you can’t say OJ Howard’s name without using the word “potential.”
May 16th, 2021 at 9:42 am
dmatt Says
How about the 3 picks that Tb12 threw in the NFC championship game. Those football mistakes doesn’t define a player but how you bounce back from adversity and make your doubters eat cow manure
May 16th, 2021 at 10:12 am
Why in the world would Cappa “be on his way put” after a stellar season ending with a broken ankle?
Not every player lives in Tampa in the offseason.
May 17th, 2021 at 1:48 am
OJH has shown very little of his “potential” everyone seems to focus on. If he gets healthy and in demand, trade him.