The Raiders have released Austin Howard, one of their big free-agent signings from the 2014 offseason. The offensive lineman was informed of his released early Friday, according to a league source.
The player confirmed the separation on social media late Thursday night with this post:
OAKLAND!!! A lifetime of memories have been made these past three years, and I am grateful for… https://t.co/1AqbM3WaRU
- Austin Howard (@AustinHoward68) July 28, 2017
Howard was scheduled to make $4.9 million in base salary this season, with $2.4 million in dead money against the salary cap. The Raiders can afford the cap hit, but will enjoy the slowing salary cash flow in 2017.
Howard was one of the team's biggest signings in 2014, inking a five-year, $30 million contract with the Raiders early in the 2014 unrestricted free agent signing period. Howard played right guard in his first season, but moved to tackle in the following two years. He made 39 starts in three seasons in silver and black, most at right tackle.
Howard played 2016 under duress. He worked through an ankle issue that season and had offseason shoulder surgery that impacted him throughout the Raiders offseason program.
He regained health this summer, but the Raiders chose to part ways with the veteran and focus on other options at right tackle. Marshall Newhouse has pole position in the position battle, but Vadal Alexander will challenge him for a starting spot. Rookie forth-round pick David Sharpe also has interest there.
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That left Howard with a too-high salary entering a tight position battle, making him expendable when compared with other players along a stacked offensive line.
The Raiders will have two spots available on their 90-man roster, with Howard and running back Taiwan Jones being released.
Here is Howard's full Instagram post:
A post shared by Austin Howard (@realaustinhoward77) on Jul 28, 2017 at 12:38am PDT
