Tevita Vea

Bucs place defensive tackle Vita Vea (broken leg) on injured reserve

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have placed defensive tackle Vita Vea (broken leg) on the injured reserve.

What It Means:

Vea suffered the injury during the Bucs' loss on Thursday Night Football. Vea had been playing at an All-Pro level in 2020, and was graded as Pro Football Focus' second-best interior defensive lineman.

Vea was a critical component of the Bucs' defense, which ranks third in the league in pressure rate with 27.2% and fourth in sacks with 17. The team also leads the league in yards per carry allowed with 2.7 with Vea clogging up running lanes. The Bucs defense still won't be one to attack with running backs, but they might not continue their reign as the league's best defense against the run.