(SportsRadio 610) - Former Buccaneers and Bills tight end O.J. Howard visited the Texans on Thursday and is signing with the team, according to multiple reports.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport first reported Howard's visit with the Texans, adding that Howard would take a physical and sign with the team.
Pro Football Network's Aaron Wilson then reported no deal was in place, but confirmed that Howard is staying for a physical. Howard agreed to terms with Texans later in the day.
Texans head coach Lovie Smith acknowledged earlier in the day that injuries had taken a toll on their tight end position. Pharaoh Brown has dealt with a hamstring injury. A knee injury put rookie Teagan Quitoriano on the injured list and the team released veteran Antony Auclair, who dealt with a knee injury throughout training camp.
To address the hole at tight end, the Texans tried to trade for Adam Shaheen from the Miami Dolphins, but a physical revealed he had a season-ending knee injury.
They also brought back Jordan Akins, their third-round pick from 2018, and added him to the practice squad.
Akins had spent four seasons with the Texans before signing as a free agent with the New York Giants this offseason. The Giants released him last week and he was added to Houston's practice squad Wednesday.
"As a general rule, we never stop looking to upgrade our roster, tight end position, all positions," Smith said Thursday morning. "I can understand we’ve had a few injuries. That’s the one position (tight end) that injuries have taken a toll a little bit. We still like the people that we have right now and we’re going to dress at least three guys on game day. We’ll feel good about the three that we dress."
Brandon Scott is the editor for SportsRadio610.com. Follow him on Twitter @brandonkscott. Reach him directly via email: brandon.scott@audacy.com.
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