Xavien Howard slammed the door shut on a return to Miami in March after being released.
Former Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard saw his 2023 campaign prematurely end due to a foot injury against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17. Four months later, the four-time Pro Bowl cornerback is ready to turn the page to 2024.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Wednesday that Howard’s doctor penned — or typed — a letter to teams that the 2020 first-team All-Pro was cleared to resume football activities.
Four-time Pro Bowl CB Xavien Howard was fully cleared for football activities earlier this month, his doctor informed teams in a letter.
Howard, who’s a free agent, battled a foot injury throughout last season. Some potential post-draft help incoming. pic.twitter.com/5qsPqcfPUy
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 24, 2024
Howard, 30, made 45 tackles, defended eight passes, and intercepted one ball throughout his 13-game 2023 season. He played just four snaps in Week 17 before suffering the season-ending injury.
The Dolphins released Howard early in the offseason. They designated him as a post-June 1 cut because of a projected $25.9 million cap hit — which would’ve been Miami’s second-highest behind only Tyreek Hill.
Opposing quarterbacks threw just two touchdown passes while targetting Howard in coverage last season. He spent eight seasons with the Dolphins but still has gas in the tank. Howard missed just seven tackles in 2023 and quarterbacks completed 62% of attempts while targeting him.
Dolphins’ general manager Chris Grier left the door open on a potential return to Miami, but as of early March, the two-time interception leader sounded ready to move on.
“That door is closed. I’m sorry,” Howard told the Joe Rose show.
Xavien Howard tells us on @560WQAM on a possible return to the Dolphins “that door is closed.”
— The Joe Rose Show (@JoeRoseShow) March 7, 2024
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