Heading into Sunday’s Week 1 matchup, there is no understating just how important Bucs defensive tackle Vita Vea will be in determining the game’s outcome.
Facing a Falcons’ offense boasting one of the best running back duos in the NFL with Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, Vea is the one who will be asked to block up running lanes. Not to mention, taking on double teams to allow defensive tackle Calijah Kancey and outside linebackers Haason Reddick and Yaya Diaby to get after second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
Will he suit up?
Bucs Hopeful That Vita Vea Will Play On Sunday
After Vita Vea did not participate during Wednesday or Thursday’s Bucs practices while dealing with a foot injury, the Pro Bowl defensive tackle returned to practice on Friday as a full participant. That is when head coach Todd Bowles provided the first update on his status.
Bucs DT Vita Vea – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
“He had a good practice right now,” Bowles said of Vea on Friday. “It’s looking promising. He’s trending the right way.”
Pewter Report learned on Sunday morning that the team will use pre-game warm-ups to gauge whether or not Vea will be a go for the game.
Without Vea, the team would be shorthanded upfront, although they did elevate veteran defensive tackle Adam Gotsis to the active roster on Saturday. Still, the team’s run defense would suffer without the big nose tackle leading the charge. The Bucs want to dominate the trenches and set the tempo early against the Falcons on the road.
In two games against them last year, Vea recorded seven tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack while playing about 70% of the defensive snaps. A lot will hinge on Vita Vea’s status, and how much he plays should be active for the season-opener.
Adam Slivon has covered the Bucs for four seasons with PewterReport.com as a Bucs Beat Writer, Social Media Manager, and Podcaster. Adam started as an intern during his time at the University of Tampa, where he graduated with a degree in Sport Management in May 2023.
In addition to his regular written content, he appears every Thursday on the Pewter Report Podcast, has a weekly YouTube Top 10 Takeaways video series, and leads the managing of the site's social media platforms.
As a Wisconsin native, he spent his childhood growing up on a farm and enjoys Culver's, kringle, and a quality game of cornhole. You can find him most often on X @AdamLivsOn.
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