A key member of the Bucs' high-flying passing game will be grounded for a bit.
Tight end O.J. Howard has a sprained medial collateral ligament in his knee and could miss two to four weeks.
Howard was injured in the first half of the Bucs' 48-10 loss at Chicago on Sunday. He did not return to the game.
Howard underwent an MRI Monday morning that revealed the sprained MCL. The diagnosis was first reported by ESPN.
The Bucs have a bye week and return to play at Atlanta Oct. 14. Howard is off to a fast start in his second season with 11 catches for 222 yards (20.2 avg.), including a 75-yard touchdown.
It's possible Howard could only miss one game. The Bucs have good depth at tight end with Cameron Brate and Antony Auclair.
