The Facts: Brate is recovering from surgery after playing the majority of the 2018 season with a torn labrum in his hip, a source told ESPN Friday.

Diehards Line: Brate underwent arthroscopic surgery last week to repair the injury, which included the removal of bone fragments. He is currently on crutches. Recovery time will be a "few months," a source told ESPN.com's Jenna Laine. The expectation is that the Bucs will ease Brate back into action during OTAs with the hope of participation in the June minicamp. Brate caught 30 passes for 289 receiving yards in 2018. While his yardage and catches may have been down from the past two years -- partly because of the emergence of O.J. Howard -- Brate remained one of the Bucs' top scoring weapons. Sis six touchdown catches were tied for fourth-most in the NFL among tight ends. Brate's 20 touchdowns since 2016 are tied with Zach Ertz for second-most in the NFL.