After an embarrassing loss, the Bucs received some good news on Monday morning. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Bucs DT Vita Vea avoided major injury against Washington. Vea was carted off the field on the last defensive play of the game. After the game, Arians said Vea “felt something in his knee”. Per Rapoport, an MRI revealed that Vea had a slight MCL sprain and a bone bruise.

Vea missed 13 of the Bucs 20 games last season with a broken ankle. He returned in time for the NFC Championship Game, providing a boost to the Bucs defense down the stretch. This year, it looks like Vea will avoid injured reserve. Per The Athletic’s Greg Auman, Vea should miss limited time.

It’s possible that Vea could miss a game or two, but he should be back for the important games in December-January. Vea has 18 tackles and one sack on the season. In his place, veterans Steve McLendon and Rakeem Nunez-Roches will step up. McLendon has been a healthy scratch in recent weeks. But the Bucs keep him around for such a time as this.

The Bucs defense has been riddled by injuries all season, but should be getting healthier soon. Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting could return from injured reserve for Monday Night Football against the Giants. Fellow starter Carlton Davis is “close”, according to Arians. The Bucs have yet to play a single game this season with their full starting secondary healthy.