Travin

Howard

Howard is scheduled to undergo “core muscle surgery” from sports hernia expert Dr. William Meyers. Howard reportedly injured his groin during an off-site training session, as he now hopes to be ready by Week 1. The Rams brought Howard back on a one-year deal earlier this offseason after he served as the team’s starting linebacker in four games -- including two playoff contests.

As predicted and noted correctly by media covering the team, waiving Howard was purely for salary cap reasons with Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald needing extensions. Howard should be heavily involved in 2022 after ending the season as a starting linebacker and starting two playoff games.

In a move that was reported by The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue, the Rams cut ties with Howard, who recently re-signed with the team on a one-year, $2.5 million contract. Rodrigue said that Howard is not injured, and that the “sense” is the Rams are cutting down on cap as deals “are locking in this week.” If Howard clears waivers there is a chance the Rams may still bring him back for this season.

A restricted free agent, Howard was offered an original-round tender back in March. It only would have cost a seventh-round pick for another team to sign him away, but an offer sheet never materialized. Howard came on strong during the Rams’ Super Bowl run last season.

The Rams selected Howard in the seventh round of the 2018 draft. He logged 102 snaps in 2019 and played decently, but then missed all of 2020 with a torn meniscus. In 2021 Howard didn’t log more than 10 snaps until Week 16, but he excelled once given an opportunity. Howard played 20 or more snaps in the Rams’ final three games of the regular season and their first three playoff games. He logged 19 solo tackles and six assisted tackles in that span. Among 2021 linebackers with 200 or more snaps, he ranked fourth in Pro Football Focus’ defensive grades. If Howard can sustain what he flashed in 2021, he’ll be an absolute bargain in 2022.

Both players were exclusive rights free agents. Shelton played 75 2020 snaps. Howard missed the entire season with a torn meniscus.

Los Angeles’ seventh-round pick in 2018, Howard was expected to compete as a top reserve after he totaled 22 tackles across 102 (9%) defensive snaps last season. He’ll enter the offseason as an exclusive rights free agent in 2021.

A former safety, Howard (6'0/215) led the Big 12 with 130 tackles as a junior in 2016. Howard is lightning quick and can hold his own in coverage but will have to put on weight if he hopes to stick at linebacker in the pros. Long-term, he might be a better fit at safety.