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Vita Vea Missing Practice With Injury Amid Trade Talk
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. In a curiously timed announcement, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles announced Wednesday that star defensive tackle Vita Vea was sitting out of practice with a minor injury.
As reported by ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter , Bowles explained that Vea "tweaked something," though further details weren't provided.
Logan B. Robinson of BucsGameday shared footage from training camp of Vea talking with special teams coordinator Danny Smith, describing Vea as "here but holding in after his recent trade request."
He also could be seen assisting in some drills, though he wasn't wearing a helmet, and he appeared like more of a staffer or coach than a player.
It's unclear if Vea will actually be traded, as Ari Meirov reports the team has "had no conversations about trading him," per Bowles.
That said, the two-time Pro Bowler told Kay Adams in an "Up & Adams" video posted on Monday that he's working on a contract extension, so it's possible that this trade request and hold in is just a bargaining tactic.
Adams indicated that Devonte Wyatt's $57 million extension, including a $20 million signing bonus, "reset the market" for defensive tackles, and she asked Vea what the "hold up" is in his own deal.
"I'm not sure, we'll see what's going on," he said while chuckling . "I hope we're close. Fingers are crossed."
If Vea does end up elsewhere, the Buccaneers will be losing — and another team will be getting — a veteran player who can clog the middle of the line by himself.
In his career, he has 35 sacks and 256 total tackles, but those numbers are likely deceptively low relative to his impact.
After all, the 6-foor-4, 347-pound Washington product is so big and powerful that it's often better for opponents to try to avoid putting the ball near him entirely.
So will the Buccaneers lock down their stud defender, or will another team get a shot at shoring up their interior defensive line? Only time will tell, but in the meantime, expect Vea's "tweaked" muscle to keep him sidelined.
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