Tampa Bay restructured Vea's contract Friday, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Vea, who signed a four-year, $73 million extension in January of 2022, will have a large portion of his 2023 salary converted into a signing bonus. The veteran defensive tackle was expected to make $12.5 million in 2023, but his new deal will save Tampa Bay nearly $9 million in cap space.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Will play Monday
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Vea (calf) is active for Monday's wild-card matchup against Dallas, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
As expected, Vea will be active for the playoff matchup after missing three of Tampa Bay's final four regular-season games due to a calf issue. Despite not logging a full practice throughout prep, the 2018 first-round pick's presence should provide a major boost to the interior of the Buccaneers' defense.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Appears ready to roll
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Vea (calf) is expected to play in Monday's wild-card matchup against the Cowboys, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Although Vea has now missed three out of Tampa Bay's last four contests due to a calf issue, he's anticipated to suit up and start at nose tackle versus Dallas on Monday. The 347-pounder strung together three consecutive limited practices worth of preparation, and he's is now in line to make running through the interior a difficult task for the Cowboys' ball carriers.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Questionable for Monday night
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Vea (calf) is listed as questionable for Monday's game versus Dallas.
Vea was limited at practice Saturday, so his status for the wild-card round appears to be a coin-flip proposition. If the Pro Bowler is forced to sit out, Rakeem Nunez-Roches would start at nose tackle for Tampa Bay.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Still limited
Rotowire
Vea (calf) was a limited participant during Friday's practice, Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports reports.
Vea has missed back-to-back practices due to a calf injury that sidelined him for Week 18. It's encouraging to see the veteran defensive tackle back in action, albeit in a limited fashion, but he'll likely have to log a full session Saturday to avoid an injury designation for Monday's wild-card matchup against Dallas.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: No-go for regular-season finale
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Vea (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup with the Falcons, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
After sitting out of practice all week with his nagging calf injury, Vea will be forced to miss the Buccaneers' regular-season finale. With Tampa Bay already locked into a contest during next weekend's wild-card round, the team is likely just being cautious with its starting nose tackle. In Vea's absence Sunday, Rakeem Nunez-Roches will likely replace him on the defensive line.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Questionable to play in Week 17
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Vea (calf) is considered questionable to play in Week 17 versus the Panthers.
Vea was able to practice in a limited capacity all week, giving him a reasonable shot to return to the field for the first time since Week 14. The 27-year-old's status is worth monitoring as the contest against Carolina approaches. If he's able to go Sunday, Rakeem Nunez-Roches would return to a reserve role at nose tackle.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Ruled out for Week 15
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Vea (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Bengals, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Vea sustained the calf injury last week versus the 49ers and will now miss the Buccaneers' Week 15 matchup with the Bengals. In his absence, Rakeem Nunez-Roches is a likely candidate for extra usage on the defensive line. Vea will now shift his focus to being available for Tampa Bay's Christmas Day game against the Cardinals in Week 16.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Forced out with injury
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Vea is doubtful to return to Sunday's game against the 49ers with a calf injury, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Vea sustained a calf injury and was seen being carted to the locker room during the first quarter. While the nature of this issue is still unclear, it appears he'll likely remain out for the remainder of this contest. In his stead, expect Rakeem Nunez-Roches to step into a bigger role alongside William Gholston.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Officially set to play Monday
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Vea (foot) has been ruled active for Monday Night Football versus New Orleans, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Vea popped up with a foot injury during practice and was deemed questionable before playing 45 defensive snaps in Week 12's loss to the Browns. While this issue carried over into Week 13, the 347-pound nose tackle will ultimately suit up for Monday's divisional matchup. Vea should continue to provide a dominating presence against the Saints' banged-up offensive line.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Expected to face Saints
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Vea (foot) is expected to suit up for Monday's game against the Saints, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Vea and Akiem Hicks (foot), both listed as questionable, are expected to be active for Monday Night Football. Having both defensive linemen would bode well for Tampa Bay's ability to keep Alvin Kamara and New Orleans' rushing attack in check, though a final word on Vea's status may not come until prior to Monday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Questionable to play Week 12
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Vea (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns.
Vea was sidelined during practice Wednesday and Thursday after he began to deal with foot soreness during Tampa Bay's Week 11 bye, according to Greg Auman of Fox Sports. The nose tackle was able to log a limited session Friday, and Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said that he could still recover in time ahead of the Week 12 contest against Cleveland, per Auman. If Vea's status does not improve before Sunday, Rakeem Nunez-Roches will likely step into a starting role between defensive ends Akiem Hicks and William Gholston.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Dealing with foot injury
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Vea didn't practice Wednesday due to a foot injury, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Vea didn't record a tackle across a season-low 31 defensive snaps in Week 10 presumably due to the foot injury, and he's now sidelined for the team's first practice following Tampa Bay's Week 11 bye. It's certainly concerning to see the veteran defensive tackle unavailable following a week off, but he'll have two more opportunities to practice before the Buccaneers need to make a decision on his availability for Sunday's matchup against the Browns.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Sets new career-high sack total
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Vea posted three solo tackles, including one sack, during the Buccaneers' 32-6 win over the Panthers in Week 16.
The mammoth run-stuffer came through with his fourth sack of the season, establishing a new career high in the process. Vea has three of those takedowns in the last four contests, and he's posted a solid (for an interior lineman) 19 tackles (14 solo), a pair of defensed passes and a fumble recovery over his last eight contests overall.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Listed as questionable for Week 12
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Vea (knee) is considered questionable for Sunday's game against the Colts, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Vea has already missed one game with the issue but has been able to practice on a limited basis all week. His return would push Steve McLendon back into a depth role.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Likely staying with Tampa Bay
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Vea's contract option will likely be picked up by the Buccaneers according to GM Jason Licht, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
Though Vea didn't have as much game action in his 2020 campaign as seasons prior because of a leg injury, he managed to record 10 tackles (six solo) and two sacks through his five games. The 26-year-old plays a pivotal role in the team's defense, and it's no surprise Tampa Bay would want to keep a crucial part of their defensive line in the mix.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Officially activated from IR
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The Buccaneers activated Vea (leg) from injured reserve Friday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
Vea practiced this week for the first time since suffering a fractured ankle in Week 5 against the Bears. The third-year defensive tackle will immediately bolster the Buccaneers' front seven when he's on the field, but Vea could be on a pitch count in his first game in over three months. Through the first five games of the year, Vea recorded 10 tackles, two sacks, an additional tackle for loss and three quarterback hits.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Likely done for the year
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Coach Bruce Arians said Friday that Vea suffered a broken leg during Thursday's loss to the Bears, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Vea had to be carted off the field late in the fourth quarter of Thursday's loss, and Arians confirms that the severity of his injury is likely season-ending. Expect the 25-year-old to officially land on IR in the near future. Rakeem Nunez-Roches is likely to handle an expanded defensive role going forward.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Carted off the field
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Vea was carted off the field Thursday against the Bears, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.
It appeared that Vea's ankle was rolled up on late in the fourth quarter of Thursday's contest. With the big defensive tackle out for the remainder of the contest, look for Rakeem Nunez-Roches to see an uptick in snaps.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Full participant in camp
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Vea (hand) has been a full participant in training camp, Carmen Vitali of the team's official site reports.
Vea has made a full recovery from hand surgery he underwent at the end of June. The defensive tackle has impressed at camp with his lateral quickness as he heads into his third season.
