Coming into Week One of the 2025 NFL season, former Washington Huskies star Vita Vea’s role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was up in the air.
After dealing with a foot injury that held him out of two practices leading up to their faceoff with the Atlanta Falcons, the two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle was listed as questionable before the game, but he was able to suit up and made a big impact in Tampa Bay’s 23-20 win.
Although he was credited with just two tackles in the victory, he did what he does best: prevent teams from running up the middle. Vea proved to be impossible to move in short yardage situations against a Falcons offensive line that is still learning how to operate following the loss of his former college teammate, right tackle Kaleb McGary.
“We didn’t play particularly well up front, and that showed up in the run game,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said after the game.
Vea was an impactful force all afternoon, both as a run defender and a pass rusher, generating pressure on another former Husky star, quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
Although the play above was flagged for roughing the passer, Penix felt Vea’s impact, while offensive coordinator Zac Robinson had to find several ways to maneuver his scheme around the talented eight-year veteran.
In Week Two, Vea and the Buccaneers will play on Monday Night Football against the Houston Texans, where the former Husky star will have an opportunity to make a big impact once again.
Houston’s offensive line is dealing with the loss of center Jake Andrews, who suffered a high ankle sprain in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams, and was one of the worst units in the league in 2024. If Vea can generate pressure on Texans quarterback CJ Stroud like he did against Penix, he could turn in a strong performance on the biggest stage.