Buccaneers DT Vita Vea has MCL sprain; will be ‘day-to-day’

TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay Buccaneers star defensive tackle Vita Vea suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain to his right knee and will be “day-to-day,” coach Todd Bowles said Monday.

“Right now, he’s day-to-day, but not ruled out,” Bowles said.

Vea suffered the injury early in the second half of the Bucs’ 20-16 victory at the Detroit Lions on Sunday when teammate YaYa Diaby fell on his knee. As Diaby was looping inside trying to get his hand on quarterback Jared Goff, Diaby fell to the ground and dove into the back of Vea’s legs.

After the game, Vea was seen in the locker room wearing a brace. He was standing and able to put weight on both feet evenly, however, and appeared to be in good spirits.

The Bucs have already spent the past two weeks without their other starting defensive tackle, Calijah Kancey, a 2023 first-round draft pick, due to a calf injury suffered in a Friday practice before their Week 1 opener.

Against the Lions, the Bucs had to rely heavily on backup Greg Gaines and then C.J. Brewer and Mike Greene, who were both Saturday practice squad call-ups.

In addition to Vea, starting running back Rachaad White suffered a groin injury during the game but was able to finish. A source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that it is not considered a major injury.

“Should be good,” the source said.

The Bucs, who are 2-0 for the fourth straight season, host the Denver Broncos in Week 3.