Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is tackled after scrambling out of the pocket.

Bills QB Josh Allen (neck, finger) making progress from injuries

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was a full participant during Wednesday’s walkthrough despite dealing with injuries to his neck and what the team listed as a “throwing finger.”

Allen sustained a stinger in his neck late in last weekend’s victory over the New England Patriots.

The AFC East title is on the line Sunday night when the Bills visit the Miami Dolphins but Bills coach Sean McDermott isn’t overly concerned about his quarterback.

“Still sore, we’ll continue to take it one day at a time,” McDermott said of Allen’s neck soreness. “But I anticipate him playing.”

The only Buffalo player to miss practice with a designated injury was defensive end Leonard Floyd (rib). Safeties Micah Hyde (neck) and Damar Hamlin (shoulder) were limited participants on Wednesday.

For the Dolphins, cornerback Xavien Howard (foot) missed practice and coach Mike McDaniel doesn’t expect him to play on Sunday. That would rate as a second big blow for the Miami defense after star linebacker Bradley Chubb tore the ACL in his knee during last week’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Other Miami players who sat out Wednesday were offensive tackle Terron Armstead (knee, back, ankle), running back Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle), receiver Jaylen Waddle (ankle) and defensive end Zach Sieler (illness).

Star receiver Tyreek Hill was a limited practice participant, partly due to his ankle injury. Hill also departed practice after a big fire broke out at his home.

Outside linebacker Jerome Baker (knee) was limited after the Dolphins began his 21-day activation window.

Among other limited Miami players were running back De’Von Achane (toe, ribs), guard Robert Hunt (hamstring) and safety Jevon Holland (both knees).

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (quadriceps, left shoulder) and cornerback Jalen Ramsey (knee) were full participants.

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2023; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Will Howard (18) calls a play during the first quarter against the Iowa State Cyclones at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Ohio State joins pursuit of K-State QB Will Howard

Ohio State plans to host Kansas State quarterback Will Howard, who has also received interest from Southern California and Miami in the transfer portal.

According to multiple reports, Howard’s visit is expected to take place before Monday’s national championship game. Howard was also considering the 2024 NFL Draft as of the end of the 2023 regular season.

Ohio State starting quarterback Kyle McCord transferred to Syracuse following the 2023 regular season.

Quarterbacks Devin Brown and Luke Kieholz completed 10 of 23 pass attempts for 106 yards as stand-ins during a 14-3 loss to Missouri in the Cotton Bowl.

With Howard at the helm, Kansas State went 8-4 in 2023. He threw 15 TD passes in his final six games and posted a four-TD performance against Texas. Howard also had a big game against the same Mizzou team that manhandled Ohio State in the bowl game (270 yards, three TD passes in a 30-27 loss in September).

Howard spent four seasons with the Wildcats and holds the school record with 48 career passing touchdowns. He tied the school single-season record of 24 TDs set by Ell Roberson in 2003.

Howard helped guide Kansas State to a memorable 31-28 overtime upset of TCU in the 2022 Big 12 championship game. The victory put the Wildcats in the Sugar Bowl, where they lost 45-20 to Alabama. Kansas State finished 10-4 in 2022.

Howard passed for 5,786 yards and threw 25 interceptions in 34 games (27 starts) for the Wildcats. He also rushed for 19 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Nov 5, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans offensive tackle Tytus Howard (71) walks off the field after the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Texans place OL Tytus Howard on IR, waive CB Shaquill Griffin

The Houston Texans placed offensive lineman Tytus Howard on injured reserve Wednesday with a knee injury.

Multiple reports said Howard requires season-ending surgery after being hurt in Sunday’s loss to Jacksonville.

He started the last seven games for the Texans (6-5) after missing the first four games with a broken hand.

Howard, 27, was Houston’s first-round draft pick (23rd overall) in 2019 and signed a three-year, $56 million extension in July. He moved from his customary right tackle position to left guard.

He has started all 61 of his games in the NFL. Rookie Juice Scruggs replaced Howard after he was helped off the field in the loss to the Jaguars.

The Texans also waived Shaquill Griffin and added fellow cornerback Desmond King II to the active roster. Linebacker Denzel Perryman also rejoined the 53-man roster, while kicker Matt Ammendola and linebacker Garret Wallow were signed to the practice squad.

Griffin, 28, played in 10 games (six starts) this season and had 33 tackles and one interception. The 2019 Pro Bowl selection has 360 tackles and seven picks in 86 games (78 starts) with the Seattle Seahawks (2017-20), Jaguars (2021-22) and Texans.

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2023; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Will Howard (18) passes the ball during the fourth quarter against the Iowa State Cyclones at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas State QB Will Howard enters transfer portal

Kansas State quarterback Will Howard announced Monday that he is leaving the school and entering the transfer portal.

Howard has spent the past four seasons with the Wildcats and holds the school record of 48 career passing touchdowns.

Howard also tied the school single-season record of 24 set by Ell Roberson in 2003. He passed for 2,643 yards and eight interceptions.

“It has been an absolute honor to play for Kansas State University,” Howard said on social media. “With that being said, I am going to explore the transfer portal and evaluate my options for next season. I’m looking forward to this next chapter in my life and the possibilities that lie ahead.”

Howard helped guide Kansas State to a memorable 31-28 overtime upset of TCU in the 2022 Big 12 championship game. The victory put the Wildcats in the Sugar Bowl, where they lost 45-20 to Alabama. Kansas State finished 10-4.

This season, Kansas State is 8-4 after losing 42-35 to visiting Iowa State on a snow-covered field on Saturday. Howard threw a touchdown pass in that game, giving him 15 over the past six games.

Overall, Howard passed for 5,786 yards and threw 25 interceptions in 34 games (27 starts) for the Wildcats. He also rushed for 19 scores.

–Field Level Media

Oct 7, 2023; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Brendan Sullivan (6) runs for a touchdown as Howard Bison defensive back Jabari Knighten (13) defends him during the first half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Northwestern fends off pesky FCS Howard, 23-20

Brendan Sullivan stepped in at quarterback for Northwestern and accounted for three total touchdowns as the Wildcats held off FCS visitors Howard 23-20 on Saturday in Evanston, Ill.

Sullivan started in place of Ben Bryant, who sustained an upper-body injury last week. Sullivan completed 13 of 18 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns and ran 15 times for 38 yards and a score for Northwestern (3-3).

Eden James took 21 carries for 177 yards and added three catches for 36 yards for Howard (2-3). Quinton Williams completed 18 of 30 passes for 169 yards.

James sprinted for a 64-yard touchdown on the first play of a Howard drive with 7:40 left in the game. The Bison could not score a two-point conversion, leaving their deficit 23-13.

Howard forced a three-and-out, and James gained 62 yards from scrimmage and converted two third downs on the ensuing drive. He set up Jarett Hunter for a 1-yard rushing score to trim the margin to three points with 2:32 to go. But Howard’s onside kick did not work, and Northwestern managed to salt the game away.

Howard outgained Northwestern 352-312 but could not climb out of a 16-0 halftime hole.

Cam Porter led the Wildcats with 78 rushing yards.

On Northwestern’s opening drive, Sullivan rolled right and navigated his way 35 yards for a touchdown at 12:51 of the first quarter.

The Bison were downed at their 3 to start their second possession. On third down, Williams was called for intentional grounding while standing in the end zone, giving Northwestern a safety and a 9-0 lead.

After the Wildcats stuffed James on a fourth-down run at the Northwestern 20, they embarked on a 14-play touchdown drive to end the half. Sullivan hit Bryce Kirtz for a 4-yard strike with 26 seconds left.

Howard strung together a 17-play, 74-yard drive eating up 7:49 of clock to open the second half. On fourth-and-1 at the Northwestern 2, the Wildcats gifted Howard a new set of downs by picking up a “disconcerting signals” penalty for trying to impede Howard’s snap count.

Williams was hit hard on first-and-goal and briefly left the game, and backup quarterback Ja’Shawn Scroggins pushed in for a touchdown on the next play.

Sullivan answered when he rolled left and hit Cam Johnson in stride down the left sideline for a 35-yard touchdown, making it 23-7 with 2:46 left in the third quarter.

–Field Level Media

Jun 15, 2022; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans offensive lineman Tytus Howard (71) participates in drills during minicamp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Texans RT Tytus Howard returns, G Kendrick Green to IR

The Houston Texans designated right tackle Tytus Howard for return from injured reserve Wednesday but placed starting left guard Kendrick Green on IR with a knee injury.

Howard missed the first four games on IR with a broken hand.

Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil also returned to practice Wednesday after missing the past three games with pain and swelling in his knee.

The Texans may shift Howard to guard in place of the injured Green while keeping George Fant at RT, according to KPRC2 Houston.

The Texans have 21 days to activate Howard to the 53-man roster. He broke his hand during training camp, an injury that required surgery to insert two metal pins.

Green tore his meniscus and is expected to undergo season-ending surgery. He injured his right knee in Sunday’s 30-6 win over the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers, which helped Houston improve to 2-2.

Fellow OL Josh Jones practiced Wednesday with a club on his hand after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament, per KPRC2. He missed last week’s game and is expected to miss this Sunday’s game at Atlanta.

The Texans acquired Green from the Steelers on Aug. 29 for a 2025 sixth-round pick after Houston’s starting left guard, 2022 first-round pick Kenyon Green, suffered a season-ending shoulder injury during the preseason.

Howard has started all 54 games he has played since the Texans selected him with the 23rd overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Alabama State.

Howard, 27, signed a three-year, $56 million extension in July that reportedly included $36.5 million guaranteed.

In other moves Wednesday, the Texans also opened the practice window for punter Cameron Johnston and released interim P Ty Zentner.

The Texans also signed DE Derek Rivers to the active roster from the practice squad, restored S Brandon Hill to the practice squad and signed DT Taylor Stallworth to the practice squad.

–Field Level Media

Sep 30, 2023; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Ben Bryant (2) passes against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Northwestern aims for ‘complementary football’ vs. Howard

Before returning to its Big Ten slate for the rest of the season, Northwestern will try to fix some problems when it welcomes FCS foe Howard on Saturday in Evanston, Ill.

Northwestern (2-3) dropped to 1-2 in the Big Ten last Saturday with a 41-13 loss to No. 6 Penn State. The score was 10-10 at halftime before the Nittany Lions pulled away.

Northwestern rushed for just 45 yards on 32 carries and ranks 118th in the FBS in rushing offense this season (98 yards per game).

Interim coach David Braun said the offensive line was strained from the Wildcats playing from behind and becoming one-dimensional.

“We need to find balance, we need to hone into complementary football, and we need to find ways to play with a lead,” Braun said.

Ben Bryant completed 14 of 25 passes for 122 yards against Penn State before landing on his right shoulder during a sack in the fourth quarter. Braun called Bryant “tough” but was vague about whether he would be ready for Saturday.

Brendan Sullivan will start at quarterback if Bryant can’t play.

Howard (2-2) has a productive offense that first showed up Sept. 1 in a 33-23 loss to another FBS opponent, Eastern Michigan.

The Bison enter this week off a 35-10 rout of Robert Morris. Quarterback Quinton Williams completed 13 of 16 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown and added two rushing touchdowns as Howard bounced back from a 35-34 loss to Hampton.

“The theme for this game was go out and hunt,” safety Kenny Gallop Jr. told Howard’s athletics website. “Coach (Larry) Scott preached it all week, and we played well as a unit. We were humbled after the Hampton loss. We had the halftime lead and did not finish.”

Braun came to Northwestern from the coaching staff at FCS powerhouse North Dakota State and can draw on that experience to make sure his team doesn’t overlook Howard.

“There’s darn good football at all levels,” Braun said. “We look at this opponent the same that we would look at any opponent, an opponent that’s plenty capable of giving us a run for our money and beating us if we don’t show up at our best.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 30, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans tight end O.J. Howard (83) runs with the ball as Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Teair Tart (93) attempts to make a tackle during the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders sign TE O.J. Howard, DL Jordan Willis

The Las Vegas Raiders announced deals Monday with tight end O.J. Howard and defensive lineman Jordan Willis.

The team also reached an agreement with safety Jaquan Johnson, according to multiple reports.

Howard ostensibly becomes the heir apparent to Darren Waller, whom the Raiders traded to the New York Giants earlier this month.

Howard, 28, a former first-round draft pick, caught 10 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games (10 starts) for the Houston Texans in 2022.

He has 129 catches and 1,882 yards receiving to go with 17 TDs in 72 career games (56 starts) with the Texans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2017-21), who selected him No. 19 overall in the 2017 draft.

Willis, 27, was a third-round pick by Cincinnati in 2017 and has 92 tackles and 10.5 sacks in 69 games (two starts) for the Bengals (2017-18), New York Jets (2019-20) and San Francisco 49ers (2020-22).

Johnson, 27, was picked in the sixth round by Buffalo in 2019. He registered 58 tackles and two interceptions in 60 games (four starts) over four seasons with the Bills.

–Field Level Media

LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly talks with LSU Tigers quarterback Walker Howard (14) during warm ups before Auburn Tigers take on LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022.

QB Walker Howard transfers to Ole Miss from LSU

Ole Miss landed LSU transfer quarterback Walker Howard, who played in only two games for the Tigers in 2022 as a freshman.

Howard visited Ole Miss and TCU last week and announced Wednesday he is joining the Rebels, where he will have four years of eligibility remaining.

Howard was a four-star recruit out of St. Thomas More (La.) and ranked as the No. 40 overall recruit in his class by the 247Sports composite.

At LSU, Howard completed 2 of 4 passes for 7 yards and retained redshirt status. He rushed six times for 33 yards.

Jaxson Dart, a transfer from USC, and Howard are likely to compete for the starting spot at Ole Miss. Luke Altmyer, the Rebels’ backup quarterback in 2022, transferred to Illinois.

–Field Level Media

Oct 29, 2022; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Will Howard (18) drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Will Howard’s 4 TDs helps No. 22 Kansas State crush No. 9 Oklahoma State

Will Howard was 21-of-37 passing for 296 yards and four touchdowns as No. 22 Kansas State routed No. 9 Oklahoma State 48-0 Saturday in Manhattan, Kan. The Wildcats led 35-0 at halftime.

It was the largest victory in series history for the Wildcats.

Howard, who started his first game of the season in place of injured starter Adrian Martinez, was 15-of-24 passing for 224 yards and all four touchdowns in the first half. Two of those touchdown passes were to Kade Warner. Deuce Vaughn had a rushing and receiving touchdown.

Kansas State (6-2, 4-1 Big 12) moved into sole possession of second place. They’ll host Texas, which was idle Saturday, next week.

Oklahoma State (6-2, 3-2) came into the game averaging 44.7 points per game, tied for third in the FBS. The last time the Cowboys were shut out was Nov. 28, 2009, when they were blanked by Oklahoma, 27-0. The Cowboys were held to 217 yards of total offense, less than half their season average (466.9 yards per game).

Oklahoma State’s Spencer Sanders completed 13 of 26 passes for 147 yards and an interception.

The Wildcats drove 77 yards on nine plays on their opening drive to take an early lead. Howard hit Warner with a 38-yard touchdown on fourth-and-10 for the score. After holding the Cowboys on downs at the Kansas State 38-yard line, Vaughn raced 62 yards untouched up the middle for a 14-0 lead with 8:15 left in the opening quarter.

Howard then hit Phillip Brooks for a 31-yard touchdown pass to give the Wildcats a three-score lead. It capped a seven-play, 83-yard drive. Following the picking off a Sanders pass at the Oklahoma State 43, Howard hit Warner in the flat and Warner ran untouched for a 41-yard touchdown and a 28-0 K-State lead.

Howard then hit Vaughn on for a 1-yard touchdown pass to cap a 14-play, 77-yard drive to give K-State a 35-0 lead at halftime. The drive took all but seven seconds of the final 6:42 of the first half.

Ty Zentner hit a pair of field goals in the second half. DJ Giddens scored a 9-yard touchdown to cap the scoring.

–Field Level Media