Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard is expected to be sidelined two-to-four weeks with a sprained MCL, multiple media outlets reported on Monday.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter initially reported the severity of the injury that Howard sustained to his left knee in the first half of the Buccaneers’ 48-10 drubbing by the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
Howard has recorded 11 receptions for 222 yards and a touchdown in four games this season for Tampa Bay (2-2), which has dropped two straight contests. The Buccaneers have a bye in Week 5 before returning to visit the Atlanta Falcons.
The 23-year-old Howard collected 26 catches for 432 yards and six scores during his rookie season after being selected by the Buccaneers with the 19th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Cameron Brate, who has six catches for 63 yards and two touchdowns this season, will step into the starter’s role in place of the 6-foot-6, 251-pound Howard. Brate reeled in a 16-yard scoring strike from Jameis Winston during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game.
Brate, who is listed as 6-5 and 245 pounds, had three catches for 29 yards versus the Bears.
Antony Auclair and Alan Cross also provide depth as tight ends on Tampa Bay’s roster.