Austin Howard's time in Oakland came to an end in late July. It didn't take him long to find his next opportunity.
The offensive tackle has signed a three-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens, the team announced Friday. The Ravens waived/injured tight end Crockett Gillmore in a corresponding move.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported the deal is $16 million and includes $5.5 million in the first year. There are team options after each year, Rapoport added.
Howard chose Baltimore over Houston, per Rapoport.
The Raidersreleased Howard on July 28 after the tackle spent three seasons in the Bay. Oakland signed Howard to a five-year, $30 million deal in 2014, but injuries and some roster changes -- most recently, the addition of Marshall Newhouse -- made him expendable.
Baltimore, on the other hand, is slated to start undrafted free agent James Hurst at right tackle after losing Ricky Wagner to the Detroit Lions in free agency. Hurst has a total of 16 starts in 48 career games, but with quarterback Joe Flacco already dealing with a back issue, adding veteran help at tackle is a wise decision for the injury-plagued Ravens.
Baltimore will hope that Howard's own medical struggles are behind him, though the team options in his contract signal the organization was sure to be careful in adding the tackle.
Other transactions news we're tracking on Friday:
- The Chargers released defensive back Darrell Stuckeywith a failed physical designation Friday, the team announced. Stuckey spent seven seasons with the franchise, was named Special Teams Player of the Year three times and made the Pro Bowl in 2015.
