The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got some troubling news just four days ahead of their season-opening matchup with the Falcons in Atlanta. Defensive tackle Vita Vea missed practice on Thursday with an apparent foot injury, according to the team’s practice report.

Vea recorded a career-high 7.0 sacks last year with 10 tackles for loss and 13 QB hits across 16 games in 2024. He’s one of the top players in the league at his position.

The former Washington Huskies standout is a two-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion with the Bucs. He was selected No. 12 overall by Tampa Bay in the 2019 NFL Draft

If Vea is forced to miss Sunday’s game, it could mean trouble for the Bucs’ defense against a Falcons offense that’s expected to be potent behind first-year starter Michael Penix Jr.