VITA VEA NEWS

Could be activated Saturday Coach Bruce Arians said that a decision on whether to activate Vea (leg) from IR won't be made until Saturday, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Impact Vea has participated in practice the last three days, and it looks like he has at least a chance at coming off IR in time for Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Packers. He hasn't played since fracturing his leg Week 5, so the Buccaneers could certainly opt to cap Vea's snaps even if he does retake the field.

JANUARY 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Bucs: Vita Vea back at practice, watch out Aaron Rodgers The Buccaneer defense looks a whole lot scarier with Vita Vea back. If Aaron Rodgers struggled against the Buccaneers in the first game, his...

JANUARY 20, 2021 • THEPEWTERPLANK.COM

Bucs designate Vita Vea to return from reserve/injured list TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have designated nose tackle Vita Vea to return from the reserve/injured list and the third-year...

JANUARY 19, 2021 • OLEANTIMESHERALD.COM

Bucs designate Vita Vea to return from reserve/injured list The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have designated nose tackle Vita Vea to return from the reserve/injured list and the third-year pro is expected to resume practice ahead of Sunday’s NFC ch...

JANUARY 19, 2021 • WASHINGTONTIMES.COM

Bucs designate Vita Vea to return from reserve/injured list TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have designated nose tackle Vita Vea to return from the reserve/injured list and the third-year pro i...

JANUARY 18, 2021 • THESTAR.COM

Bucs designate Vita Vea to return from reserve/injured list

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have designated nose tackle Vita Vea to return from the reserve/injured list and the third-year pro is expected to resume practice ahead of Sunday’s NFC ch...

JANUARY 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Could Vita Vea make a return when the Bucs need him most? Could Vita Vea make a difference down the stretch? The Buccaneers finally got a win over the Saints when it mattered the most. Tampa Bay get...

JANUARY 18, 2021 • THEPEWTERPLANK.COM

Vita Vea Injury Update is Incredible News for Buccaneers Ahead of NFC Championship When Vita Vea went down with a fractured ankle in Week 5, most assumed he was done for the year. However, the 6-foot-4, 345-pound defensive...

JANUARY 18, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM

Packers: Bucs could get Vita Vea back for NFC title game The Green Bay Packers' challenge in the NFC Championship Game might be about to get even tougher. As the Packers know all too well after the...

JANUARY 18, 2021 • LOMBARDIAVE.COM

Will practice Wednesday The Bucs have designated Vea (leg) to return from the injured reserve list, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact After fracturing his leg Week 5, Vea previously was ruled out for the remainder of the season. The defensive tackle will rejoin his team in practice Wednesday and aim to be activated for Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Packers. If the 27-year-old is unable to return, Rakeem Nunez-Roches will continue playing an expanded defensive role.

JANUARY 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Clears COVID-19 protocol Vea (leg) was restored from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Impact Vea has already been ruled out for the season after fracturing his leg Week 5 against the Bears, so he'll revert to injured reserve. He's now eligible to return to the Buccaneers' facilities to resume his rehab for the 2021 season.

DECEMBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Shifts to COVID list Vea (leg) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact The 25-year-old was ruled out for the season after suffering a fractured leg Week 5, so this is strictly a procedural move. Vea will move back to injured reserve once he clears the league's COVID-19 protocols.

NOVEMBER 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

DT McLendon practices, will make Bucs debut against Raiders

Newly acquired defensive tackle Steve McLendon is ready to do his part to help the Tampa Bay Buccaneers realize their potential

OCTOBER 23, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bucs' defense doing its part to help Brady be successful

Tom Brady’s Buccaneers are evolving into a team with a strong defensive identity

OCTOBER 19, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jets agree to trade veteran NT Steve McLendon to Buccaneers

The New York Jets agreed to terms on a trade that sent veteran nose tackle Steve McLendon to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

OCTOBER 19, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Even without Vita Vea, Bucs' run defense is confident vs. Packers, Aaron Jones Tampa Bay has the league's No. 1 run defense but now must keep it up without Vea the rest of the year, led by Rakeem Nunez-Roches.

OCTOBER 14, 2020 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Vita Vea’s replacement a reserve in name only Sixth-year pro Rakeem Nunez-Roches is ready for a bigger role with the Bucs.

OCTOBER 13, 2020 • TAMPABAY.COM

Out for season Vea suffered a season-ending leg injury in Thursday's loss to the Bears and was placed on injured reserve Monday, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Impact Vea suffered a broken leg Thursday, an injury he won't be able to recover from this season. It's a major loss for the Buccaneers, as the 2018 first-round pick has handled a major workload and produced two sacks through the first five games. If the recovery goes as planned, Vea should be ready to begin the 2021 campaign. Rakeem Nunez-Roches is expected to start at nose tackle moving forward.

OCTOBER 12, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Arians not speaking for Brady regarding 4th down confusion

If Tom Brady lost track of what down it was on the final play of a failed comeback bid against the Chicago Bears, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback is keeping it to himself

OCTOBER 9, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Buccaneers: Rakeem Nunez-Roches set to replace Vita Vea The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have lost key defensive piece, Vita Vea, to injury, and Rakeem Nunez-Roches will have to answer the call. Vita Vea...

OCTOBER 9, 2020 • THEPEWTERPLANK.COM

Bucs-Bears takeaways: Vita Vea a huge loss, should Tampa Bay have run more? A big void up front, avoiding "third and forevers," examining the increasing role of rookies and more notes from Thursday night's loss.

OCTOBER 9, 2020 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Likely done for the year Coach Bruce Arians said Friday that Vea suffered a broken leg during Thursday's loss to the Bears, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Vea had to be carted off the field late in the fourth quarter of Thursday's loss, and Arians confirms that the severity of his injury is likely season-ending. Expect the 25-year-old to officially land on IR in the near future. Rakeem Nunez-Roches is likely to handle an expanded defensive role going forward.

OCTOBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Buccaneers: Vita Vea’s injury leaves a major hole right in the middle of the defense Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffer a devastating injury right in the middle of the defense If there was a way for salt to be rubbed straight into t...

OCTOBER 9, 2020 • THEPEWTERPLANK.COM

Broken ankle suspected Vea is feared to have suffered a fractured ankle during Thursday's loss to the Bears, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact The 25-year-old was carted off the field after his ankle was rolled up on during the fourth quarter Thursday, and he may have suffered a season-ending injury. Vea is undergoing further testing Friday to confirm the diagnosis in what would be a huge loss for the Tampa Bay defense.

OCTOBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Foles beat Brady again as Bears squeeze by Tampa Bay 20-19

Tom Brady fell to Nick Foles again and appeared to lose count of downs on his final play, and the Chicago Bears beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-19 on Thursday night after Cairo Sa...

OCTOBER 9, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS