Bucs DT Vita Vea – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Vita Vea wasn’t seen much when the Bucs lost 35-7 to the 49ers on Sunday because a calf injury forced him out after just four plays. As a result of the injury, we may not see him at all when the Bucs host the Bengals in Week 15.

Vea didn’t participate in Tampa Bay’s first practice of the week on Wednesday. Speaking after practice, head coach Todd Bowles said it wasn’t likely that Vea would be available.

“I doubt it,” Bowles said. “We’ll see how he progresses during the week. If he’s not out there by Friday, I would say no.”

Bucs Didn’t Play Well With Vea Unavailable

The Bucs struggled heavily with Vea out. They were manhandled by the 49ers offensive line, allowing 209 yards on the ground and failing to register a sack on rookie Brock Purdy in the passing game. While the Bengals may not have as great of a rushing attack as the 49ers, they do boast one of the best quarterbacks in the league with Joe Burrow.

Bucs QB Tom Brady – Photo by: USA Today

Vea still leads the defense with 6.5 sacks on the seasons, leading inside linebacker Devin White by one. The next closest in sacks among Bucs interior defensive linemen is rookie Logan Hall with 2.5, and he doesn’t even get a lot of playing time these days.

Though Rakeem Nunez-Roches has been solid in his role, Akiem Hicks hasn’t been the splash player that many expected and Will Gholston has regressed a bit as well. Needless to say, it’ll be tough sledding for Tampa Bay without its best defensive lineman.