TAMPA, Fla. _ Bucs tight end O.J. Howard will miss Sunday's road game against the Titans with a hamstring injury, coach Bruce Arians announced following Friday's practice.
Howard, who has been the subject of trade interest as the NFL trade deadline approaches Tuesday, first appeared on the injury report on Wednesday, listed as a limited participant with a hamstring injury. He didn't participate in practice either Thursday or Friday.
The injury comes as the Bucs have struggled to utilize Howard, who presents a mismatch for most linebackers with his speed. Howard has just 13 catches for a 13.5-yard average. Through the first six games last season, Howard had 20 catches at a 17.6-yard average.
The Bucs rejected the New England Patriots' trade inquiries for Howard, according to published reports this week. The NFL trade deadline is 4 p.m. ET Tuesday.
Howard's absence on Sunday will mean more opportunities for tight end Cameron Brate, who has also seen his role in the offense diminish this season. He has 12 catches for 119 yards through six games. Brate, however, has touchdown receptions in two of the past three games.
Third tight end Antony Auclair will see more snaps in the team's two tight-end sets. Auclair has been primarily used as a blocking tight end.
"He's done a lot of the heavy work for us and he's done a heck of a job," Arians said of Auclair.
Also, Arians said the team left the practice field Friday having not yet made a decision on whether outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul will be added to the active roster for Sunday's game. Pierre-Paul returned to practice this week, beginning his return from a neck injury he suffered in an offseason car accident, and Arians has been pleased with what he's seen on the practice field.
"He flew around good today," Arians said of Pierre-Paul. "We'll see what the doctor says this afternoon and see what happens. ... If the doc says go, we'll go. We'll see."
Arians said there are no concerns about Pierre-Paul's conditioning, but added the veteran will be gradually added into the outside linebacker rotation.
"He won't be at 90 snaps or anything like that," Arians said. "There's one thing about the guy, he's always in shape. It's amazing. He's absolutely amazing."
Because Pierre-Paul remains on the non-football injury/reserve list, the Bucs don't have to add Pierre-Paul to the active roster until Saturday.
