Tampa Bay veteran defensive tackle Vita Vea “tweaked something” and did not practice Wednesday at training camp, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said.
The unspecified injury comes two days after the two-time Pro Bowl selection’s agent confirmed that his client is seeking a trade following failed contract negotiations.
Bowles said there have been no conversations about trading Vea, 31, who is entering the final season of a four-year, $71 million extension signed in 2022. He is due a $17 million base salary in 2026, but none of it is guaranteed. He also can earn up to $1 million through per-game roster bonuses.
Vea attended mandatory minicamp in June but did not participate in practices, allowing him to avoid fines while continuing to push for an extension.
Vea remained one of the most important pieces of the Tampa Bay defense last season, starting all 17 games and recording 34 tackles, 4.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hits. His presence in the middle has helped the Buccaneers consistently rank among the NFL’s stronger teams against the run.
The Bucs selected the 6-foot-4, 347-pound lineman with the 12th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He has totaled 256 tackles, 35 sacks and 79 QB hits in 112 games (107 starts) over eight seasons.
Vea also helped Tampa Bay win Super Bowl LV and earned Pro Bowl selections following the 2021 and 2024 seasons.
His trade request created another major contract issue for the Buccaneers as camp begins. Quarterback Baker Mayfield also is entering the final year of his deal and has been seeking an extension, though he participated fully during minicamp.
–Field Level Media
