Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Sticking around Tampa Bay
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David and the Buccaneers agreed on a one-year, $10 million contract with $9 million guaranteed Friday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
David will return to Tampa Bay for a 14th season with the team in 2025. The linebacker is coming off of a 2024 campaign in which he compiled 122 total tackles (76 solo), including 5.5 sacks, while also adding six passes defensed, one of which was an interception, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery over 17 regular-season games. Since entering the NFL in 2012, David leads all players with 1,111 total tackles, and he'll now look to help lead the Bucs to the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Another standout season in books
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David posted 122 tackles (76 solo), including 5.5 sacks, six defensed passes, including his first interception since the 2020 season, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery across 17 regular-season games in 2024.
David was his usual stalwart self while playing in every regular-season game for the second time in the last three seasons, and he also totaled eight tackles, including 1.0 sacks, across 68 snaps in the Buccaneers' wild-card loss to the Commanders. The seemingly ageless linebacker played the 2024 campaign on a one-year, $8.5 million contract, and given he's still clearly productive at age 34, it wouldn't be surprising to see David re-up with the Buccaneers yet again, even if it's just for another season.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Upgrades to full practice Thursday
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David (knee) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
David was limited in Wednesday's walkthrough due to a knee injury he likely picked up during the Buccaneers' Week 18 win over the Saints, during which he played every defensive snap and finished with nine tackles (four solo) and one pass defense. Unless he suffers a setback over the next few days, David should be good to go against the Commanders in Sunday's NFC wild-card round clash. David posted 122 combines tackles in 17 regular-season games, which is the 11th time in his 13-year NFL career that he has recorded at least 100 tackles in a season.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Starts week limited
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David (knee) was listed as limited on Wednesday's injury report.
David played 100 percent of the Buccaneers' defensive snaps in Sunday's win over the Saints. His limited status may be a case of maintenance as the 34-year-old linebacker and his teammates begin preparing for Sunday's wild-card game against the Commanders. However, his status will likely be worth monitoring Thursday and Friday to see if he can ramp up his activity level ahead of Sunday's playoff matchup.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Standout showing in Week 18 win
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David posted nine tackles (four solo) and defensed a pass in the Buccaneers' 27-19 win over the Saints on Sunday.
David finished second on the team in tackles behind cornerback Josh Hayes, eclipsing the 120-tackle mark for the third straight season in the process. The seemingly ageless linebacker enjoyed another highly productive campaign in 2024, suiting up for all 17 games and posting 122 tackles (76 solo), including 5.5 sacks, six defensed passes, including his first interception since the 2020 season, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. David will continue to be an integral part of the Buccaneers defense in Sunday night's wild-card matchup against the Commanders.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Solid outing in loss
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David recorded eight tackles (seven solo) during Tampa Bay's loss Sunday versus the Cowboys.
David's productive season continues, as he's now racked up eight or more tackles in three of his past four outings and 10 times total across 15 games played. The 2012 second-round pick will look to keep producing and add to his totals during the team's Week 17 matchup versus the Panthers.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Standout performance in win
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David supplied 12 tackles (eight solo), including 1.5 sacks, and was credited with three total quarterback hits in the Buccaneers' 40-17 over the Chargers on Sunday.
David comfortably led the Buccaneers on stops on the afternoon with a figure that was also his highest since the divisional-round loss to the Lions in January. The veteran linebacker is turning in top-notch play down the stretch, as he's recorded at least eight tackles in five of the last seven contests. David's 1.5 sacks also pushed his season total to 5.5, his best mark since way back in the 2013 season.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Has another solid game Sunday
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David recorded seven tackles (five solo) including 1.0 sacks and a fumble recovery during Sunday's 28-13 win versus the Raiders.
The fumble recovery was his first of the year, but David posted seven-plus tackles for the 10th time this season Sunday. Going into Week 15, he's eight stops away from his 11th professional campaign with at least 100 total tackles.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Eight tackles vs. Kansas City
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David finished Monday's 30-24 overtime loss to the Chiefs with eight tackles (five solo).
David played every single defensive snap Monday, and he has logged at least eight combined tackles in six of his last seven outings. Through the first nine games of the regular season, David has logged 64 tackles (40 solo), including 3.0 sacks, four pass breakups, one interception and two forced fumbles.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Leaves game with ankle injury
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David (ankle) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against Atlanta, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
David had seven tackles (four solo) before leaving in the second half of Sunday's game. He went back to the locker room after being checked on by trainers, and while he's sidelined, Antonio Grier and J.J. Russell should see more snaps at inside linebacker alongside starter K.J. Britt.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Tallies nine stops in Week 6 win
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David registered nine tackles (six solo), including 1.0 sacks, in a 51-27 victory versus the Saints on Sunday.
David came into Sunday with exactly eight tackles in three straight games, and he went one above that number to finish with a season-high nine stops against New Orleans. The linebacker also recorded his third sack of the campaign, all of which have come over the past three weeks. David is on pace to easily surpass his career-best mark of 7.0 sacks established in 2013.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Picks off pass Thursday
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David recorded eight tackles (six solo) and intercepted a pass in Thursday's overtime loss to Atlanta.
David came up with a big interception with just under two minutes remaining in the contest to put Tampa Bay in a good position for a victory, but the team's offense couldn't pick up a first down, and the Falcons were able to kick a game-tying field goal as time expired to send the contest into an extra period. The pickoff was the 13th of David's career but his first since the 2020 campaign. Through five weeks, the veteran linebacker has recorded 37 tackles (23 solo), including 2.0 sacks, while forcing two fumbles and registering three pass defenses.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Forced fumble in loss
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David recorded eight total tackles (three solo) and a forced fumble in Sunday's 26-7 loss to the Broncos.
David finished second on the team to cornerback Jamel Dean in takedowns while forcing a fumble on a carry by Denver running back Javonte Williams in the second quarter, which was ultimately recovered by teammate Logan Hall. David has now compiled 21 total tackles (12 solo) and a forced fumble over the first three games in 2024.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Remaining with Bucs
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David has agreed to terms on a one-year, $9 million contract with the Buccaneers to remain in Tampa Bay, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
David is one of several players Tampa Bay is bringing back for the 2024 campaign. He led the team last year with 134 tackles (86 solo), including 4.5 sacks, to go along with five passes defensed and a forced fumble. The 34-year-old also accumulated 17 tackles for loss, which are the second-most in a single season by a player age 33 or older. A second-round draft pick in 2012, the veteran projects to continue starting at inside linebacker for the Bucs' defense.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Standout performance in loss
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David posted 13 tackles (nine solo), including a sack and an additional tackle for loss, in the Buccaneers' 31-23 divisional-round loss to the Lions on Sunday.
The veteran linebacker was all over the field against a talented Lions offense, tying his second-highest tackle total since the start of the regular season. David's breakout finish to the 2023 campaign was fitting, considering he collected 134 tackles (86 total), including 4.5 sacks, five defensed passes and one forced fumble over 15 regular-season contests. Despite the fact David turns 34 on Tuesday, the fact he put together what was arguably his best all-around season since 2015 this past campaign makes him an intriguing pending unrestricted free agent the Buccaneers will likely have to make a difficult decision on this offseason.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Solid showing in wild-card win
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David totaled five tackles (all solo), including two for loss, in the Buccaneers' 32-9 wild-card win over the Eagles on Monday night.
David was a distant second in stops on the night to surprise tackle leader Jamel Dean (10 tackles), but the veteran linebacker still put together a solid performance. David's pass-coverage savvy was partly responsible for Tampa Bay containing tight end Dallas Goedert -- who was expected to be a bigger part of the Eagles' air attack in the absence of A.J. Brown (knee) -- to just four catches and 21 yards, albeit with one of those going for a touchdown. David should be busy once again in Sunday's road divisional-round clash against the Lions, considering rookie TE sensation Sam LaPorta awaits.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Returns to practice
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David (groin) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice session.
David missed the last two games after sustaining a groin injury in Week 11 against the 49ers. He played every defensive snap in the eight games prior to his injury and looks to be on track to return for Week 14 against the Falcons. David has recorded 90 tackles (58 solo), including three sacks, and a forced fumble in 10 games this season.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Still working through injury
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David (groin) didn't participate during Wednesday's walk-through practice.
David was unable to play in Week 12 against the Colts and appears to be in danger of missing Tampa Bay's Week 13 tilt with the Panthers. The veteran linebacker could conceivably suit up for the matchup without practicing, but ideally, he'll get back on the field Thursday or Friday in some capacity.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Won't play Week 12
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David (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Colts, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
David hasn't practiced since he suffered a groin strain Week 12, so it's no surprise to see him ruled out versus Indianapolis. In his stead, K.J. Britt and SirVocea Dennis will be candidates to handle increased snaps, especially if Devin White (foot) also ends up on the sidelines.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Looking unlikely for Week 12
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David (groin) is considered a long shot to suit up for Sunday's game against the Colts, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
David didn't practice Wednesday due to a groin injury, reportedly a strain, he suffered Week 11. The standout linebacker will have two more opportunities to increase the level of his practice activity, but at this point, it looks like he's trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's road matchup at Indianapolis.
