The worst part of the Bucs Week 10 performance was the embarrassing 29-19 loss to Washington. The second worst part was losing Vita Vea on the final meaningful play of the game. The Bucs big defensive tackle went down with a knee injury on Antonio Gibson’s one-yard touchdown run to ice the game. Vea was carted off the field, an ominous sign for the Bucs.
“No [update],” Arians said after the game. “He felt something is in his knee, but we don’t know what it is.”
Vea missed all but five games last season after breaking his ankle against the Bears in Week 5. He returned for the NFC Championship game months later, and was impactful in the team’s championship run. The fourth-year pro had two tackles on Sunday. On the season, Vea has 18 tackles and one sack.
The Bucs have already lost starting cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Sean Murphy-Bunting to injured reserve, although both will return this year. Several other defensive starters have missed time, and Jason Pierre-Paul is playing with a torn rotator cuff. Cornerbacks Dee Delaney and Richard Sherman were lost to injuries as well on Sunday. The Bucs finished the game with just three healthy cornerbacks.
Tampa Bay needs to get healthy as they head into Week 11. The Giants will be looking for an upside against the Bucs on Monday Night Football. Any hope of the No. 1 seed would go out the window if Tampa Bay loses to New York.