Tampa Bay Buccaneers standout defensive tackle Vita Vea did not participate in Wednesday’s practice due to a foot injury, according to the team’s injury report.
The news casts his status for the team’s season opener Sunday at Atlanta into at least some doubt.
Vea, 30, is coming off the best season of his seven-year NFL career. He made his second career Pro Bowl in 2024, with a career-high seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss (second and third-most on the Bucs defense, respectively), along with 42 tackles and 13 quarterback hits.
He has 30.5 total sacks and 41 tackles for loss over his professional career, all of which has been played in Tampa after the Buccaneers drafted him 12th overall in the 2018 draft.
Safety Christian Izien (oblique) and outside linebacker Haason Reddit (personal) also didn’t participate in Wednesday’s practice. Wide receiver Chris Godwin (ankle) and offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee) had DNP tags, but neither of those is a surprise, as both are expected to miss the start of the season due to their injuries.
Cornerback Benjamin Morrison (quad) and tight end Cade Otton (groin) were limited on Wednesday, while cornerback Josh Hayes (ankle) and running back Sean Tucker (hand) were full participants.