Tampa Bay Buccaneers nose tackle Vita Vea is now missing training camp for a different reason.
One day after reports emerged that the two-time Pro Bowler had requested a trade from the Bucs, head coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday that Vea “tweaked something” in his back during Tuesday’s conditioning run at the start of training camp.
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Bowles also announced that LT Tristan Wirfs suffered a hamstring injury during the same conditioning run, calling Wirfs “day to day.”
It’s not clear how serious Vea’s injury is, although Bowles didn’t appear concerned and the fact that Vea attempted the conditioning run at least suggests he was willing to participate in part of camp activities. Neither Vea nor Wirfs practiced Wednesday, although Vea was seen engaging with teammates on the field through defensive line drills.
Bowles also said that the Bucs have not engaged in any internal or external trade talk to this point with Vea. The two sides have been at odds over Vea’s contract, which is set to pay him $17 million in 2026 and expires after this coming season.
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“It comes up every year,” Bowles said when asked about Vea’s trade request, “and it usually takes care of itself. Our job is to get the guys ready to play.”
How this could play out with Vita Vea
Vea reportedly prefers landing with one of the California teams or the Raiders if he’s traded, although there might be other teams interested in his services if the Buccaneers reverse course and start entertaining trade offers.
It’s become more commonplace in recent years to see players – healthy or not – eschew holdouts for “hold-ins,” attending camp but not participating during full-team work in practices. Vea and Bowles could be seen chatting prior to practice on Wednesday.
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Even with some promising additions to the team, it has been a somewhat trying offseason after the Bucs lost four of five games down the stretch and missed the postseason in 2025. First came the loss of free agent Mike Evans. In addition to the standoff with Vea, contract talks with Baker Mayfield have not led to an extension.
Vea’s “tweak” might only be a temporary hurdle, but the Buccaneers have plenty to sort out over the next five weeks prior to the start of the season.
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