NFL Rumors: Houston Texans Could Sign Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tight End

In a surprising turn of events, the Houston Texans may now have the inside track to sign a free agent tight end. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the team might be nearing a deal with former Tampa Bay Buccaneer O.J. Howard:

Plot twist: Former #Bills and #Bucs TE OJ Howard is in Houston today visiting the #Texans, sources say. Once primed to join the #Bengals before they claimed another TE, Howard will take a physical and could join the #Texans before the season.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 1, 2022

Howard was reported as a likely signing by the Cincinnati Bengals as recently as Wednesday after being cut by the Buffalo Bills. Either the Bengals saw something with the tight end they didn't like, or the Texans came in with a more tantalizing offer.

After being drafted 19th overall by the Buccaneers in the 2017 NFL Draft, Howard flashed immediate potential in the league by tallying 997 receiving yards and a ridiculous 11.5 yards per target across his first two seasons. Unfortunately, injuries derailed his promising start, and he fell out of favor in Tampa just as the team rounded into a contender under superstar quarterback Tom Brady.

All that being said, talent evaluators clearly still remember the player Howard once was. The fact that two teams are already competing for his attention speaks well to the prospects of the 27-year-old carving out a role for himself this season.