Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Drops weight for third downs
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Coach Todd Bowles said Tuesday that Vea has dropped weight this offseason in the interest of playing increased snaps, including third downs, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Vea is coming off a career 2023 campaign, with a new high of 43 tackles (28 solo), while his 5.5 sacks fell just one short of tying a career-best mark. An ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks provides Vea with more IDP value than the usual defensive tackle, so if he can keep racking up sacks despite dropping weight, the addition of third-down reps could provide a significant boost to the 29-year-old's fantasy prospects.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Another productive season in books
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Vea recorded 43 tackles (28 solo), including 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles across 15 regular-season games in 2023. He added three stops (two solo), including a half-sack, in two postseason contests.
The mammoth defensive tackle set a new career high in regular-season tackles and fell just one sack short of tying the career-best 6.5 he'd recorded in 2022. Vea's pair of forced fumbles also represented a new high-water mark, and although he's currently on the books for a cap hit of just under $21 million in 2024, there aren't any indications he won't be back in his usual role as the anchor of Tampa Bay's defensive line next season.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Logs full practice Thursday
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Vea (toe) was a full participant at practice Thursday.
After being a limited participant in the Buccaneers' practice Wednesday, Vea upgraded to full practice Thursday. The veteran nose tackle has been nursing a toe injury, but it appears the issue is behind him and he's likely on track to play in a Week 16 matchup against the Jaguars.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Doubtful versus Green Bay
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Vea (toe) has been listed as doubtful ahead of Sunday's contest against the Packers.
Vea missed the Buccaneers' Week 14 win over the Falcons with a toe injury, and he's likely to miss a second straight game after logging a DNP for all three practices this week. Greg Gaines stepped in as the starting nose tackle for Week 14 and figures to reprise that role Sunday.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Limited in practice Wednesday
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Vea (groin) was a limited participant in the Buccaneers' practice Wednesday.
Vea is still dealing with a groin injury that held him out of the team's Week 8 loss to the Bills. The 2018 first-round managed to play through the injury last week and will look to do the same versus the Titans on Sunday.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Logs full practice Wednesday
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Vea (groin) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
Vea missed the Bucs' Week 8 contest against the Bills on Thursday after sustaining a groin injury Week 7 against the Falcons. Barring a setback, Vea should be able to return against the Texans on Sunday. He has 21 tackles (13 solo), including 3.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in six games this year.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Will be game-time decision
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Coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday that Vea (groin) would be a game-time decision for Thursday's game at Buffalo, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Vea was questionable in Week 7 with a foot injury, but it's a groin injury that's putting his availability for Week 8 in doubt. If he's sidelined, Greg Gaines could draw the start at nose tackle.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Productive in win
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Vea recorded three tackles (two solo), including two sacks and one tackle for loss in Sunday's 26-9 win over New Orleans.
Tampa Bay's 347-pound nose tackle battled through a pectoral injury after not practicing for the majority of last week, recording two of the team's three sacks this past Sunday. Vea continues to be an integral part of the Buccaneers' defensive line, as he leads the team in sacks and tackles for loss heading into Week 5's game against the Lions.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Active Sunday
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Vea (pectoral) is active ahead of Sunday's game against New Orleans, Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times reports.
Vea logged a limited practice Friday after not participating earlier in the week, and he seems good to go this Sunday. The 28-year-old has recorded 10 total tackles, two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks through the first three weeks of the season.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Gets questionable tag
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Vea (pectoral) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game in New Orleans.
Vea logged a limited practice Friday after being a nonparticipant for consecutive days to start the week, so that is a positive sign regarding his status. Still, whether he plays will presumably depend on how he is feeling closer to kickoff. Greg Gaines would be the likely candidate to replace him at nose tackle if he fails to get the green light.
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Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Good to go Monday
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Vea (pectoral) is active for Monday's contest against the Eagles.
Vea was a limited participant in all three practice sessions last week and is set to play Monday night. He registered 1.5 sacks against the Bears in Week 2 but will have a much tougher time trying to get to Jalen Hurts behind a dominant Eagles offensive front.
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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: 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: 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: 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: 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.
