EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 18: Tight end O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is helped off the field after he was injured during the fourth quarter playing against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 18, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The New York Giants won 38-35. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)Elsa/Getty Images

Buccaneers' O.J. Howard Placed on Injured Reserve with Foot, Ankle Injuries

Adam WellsNov 20, 2018

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard's season has come to an end after suffering injuries during Sunday's 38-35 loss against the New York Giants.

On Tuesday, the Buccaneers announced Howard was placed on injured reserve with foot and ankle ailments.

The Tampa Bay Times' Stroud added the expectation is this won't be a long-term situation for Howard.

TOP NEWS

Howard exited the game on Tampa Bay's final scoring drive after Giants linebacker Tae Davis came down with his weight on the Bucs tight end's right leg.

With Howard sidelined for the rest of this season, the Buccaneers will likely turn to Cameron Brate as their primary tight end. The 27-year-old is averaging a career-low 9.4 yards per reception, but he has appeared in all 10 games.

Howard has been one of the few bright spots for Tampa Bay in 2018. The second-year tight end already set a career-high with 565 receiving yards, which ranks third on the team, and he's tied for the Bucs' lead with five touchdowns.