On Sunday, the Silver and Black’s media team tweeted (or.. Xd?) a clip of veteran tight end O.J. Howard explaining why he chose to join the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason. On Tuesday, the team announced Howard’s release; brutal. Such a move practically ensures a roster spot for second-year Raider Jesper Horsted.
Howard, a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, inked a one-year, $1.2 million deal with Las Vegas in free agency. Unfortunately, the 28-year-old’s time in Sin City came to an end before this year’s preseason could commence.
Don’t rule anything out just yet, though.
Second-year quarterback Chase Garbers was a cut-victim on July 25th. Six days later, on August first, the Raiders brought back the 24-year-old signal caller. Perhaps something similar will transpire with Howard.
While entirely possible, there is one notable difference between Garbers’ situation and Howard’s: Jesper Horsted.
Wideout-turned-tight end Jesper Horsted is a favorite among the Raiders’ staff
It’s not particularly difficult to understand why a 6’3″, wideout-turned-tight end is highly thought of by a team’s coaching staff. Horsted has the footwork to play the wide receiver position, with the hands to haul in even the most difficult of passes thrown his way.
Here’s one such clip that showcases his circus-catch abilities.
Horsted has quite the collection of memorable receptions – unfortunately, none being with the Raiders. Some against the Silver and Black, though.
In 2021, the now-former Bears pass catcher gave Justin Fields his first career passing-touchdown. During a Week 5 contest that pinned Chicago against Las Vegas, Fields hit Jesper Horsted in the end zone to give his team a lead early in the second quarter. This game would end with a 20-9 victory for the Bears.
Sorry for the bad memories, Raider Nation.
If you want to learn more about Horsted, you can find his career summary, history with the Raiders, and a compilation of his aforementioned memorable catches, click here.
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