Asked why the potential breakout candidate has yet to break out in 2019, Bucs coach Bruce Arians told reporters to ask Howard.
"You'd probably have to ask him," Arians said. "He's got so much talent and he can play a heck of a lot better than he's playing."
Arians added that Howard's lack of targets was not a product of his injured ankle, saying, "That's just the way the game goes."
Howard's disappearance Thursday night was surprising given his role was supposed to expand this year, with Desean Jackson and Adam Humphries out of the building in Tampa Bay. In 2018, Howard was sixth on the Bucs in targets and receptions; he is currently sixth in targets and fourth in receptions this season.
Adding to his lack of production or involvement were two errors in Tampa Bay's Week 1 loss to San Francisco. In the second quarter, Howard first fumbled in 49ers territory and then tipped a Winston pass that led to an interception.
