No Boot But No Practice (For Now)

August 6th, 2018

Despite losing boot, returning to the practice field might be a while for Vita Vea. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)

Some good news for Bucs fans.

Eight days ago, the team’s rookie first-round pick went down with a calf injury. Vea since has been sighted in a boot and using a scooter. Late last week he was seen walking in a boot.

Today, Joe saw Vea walking without a boot. But walking onto the practice field and participating in practice are two different stories.

Joe asked Vea after practice what kind of a timetable he was looking at returning to practice. The normally soft-spoken Vea was mum. He declined comment.

Bucs coach Dirk Koetter shined a little more light onto Vea’s status when internationally celebrated JoeBucFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman asked Koetter about Vea’s recovery.

“He’s getting weight down,” Koetter said. “We just have to let that calf get all the way healed up.”

Right now Vea is working out in a pool and working on a stationary bike. Koetter said earlier in his press conference there is no need in early August to try to rush dinged-up guys back to the practice field.

21 Responses to “No Boot But No Practice (For Now)”

  1. stpetebucsfan Says:

    This is the kind of scary nagging injury that can hang around all year. Let’s hope all of this rest lets Vea to heal completely.

  2. Pickgrin Says:

    “He’s getting weight down,” Koetter said.

    Why? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a 350 lb man look so well proportioned.

    Wow – that didn’t sound right – LOL

    But its true. Would never guess Vea weighs 350 just by looking at him. He just looks like a very athletic big guy. I bet his body fat % is quite a few points lower than 98% of any man who weighs that much.

  3. jmarkbuc Says:

    Sounds like he can’t take the heat…that ain’t good.

  4. Captainstagger Says:

    No I think he means …he can put weight on it…

  5. Eric Says:

    That pool training sounds good to me.

  6. '74 Bucs fan Says:

    Putting weight down on the calf – not losing weight. Wasn’t a very clear statement. We need you mount vea!

  7. JimmyJack Says:

    Just a bad situation. This guy is completely unproven. Not being able to make it through one practice is nerve racking. At least it sounds like he is healing. Hopefully he can get into a preseason game.

  8. Bobby B Says:

    It’s about the only news we diehard Bucs fans as the the so-called NFL dedicates media provides only negatives. I have essentially gotten tired of even watching. Let the Bucs come out winning and they will act like they’ve been covering all along

  9. Godeep66 Says:

    Drop 30 pounds and he will recover a lot quicker.

  10. Godeep66 Says:

    Looks like another great pick by our GM

  11. Bucsfanman Says:

    Good news! Get well big man, we’re counting on you!

  12. Mike Johnson Says:

    Would luv to see Vea play somewhere between 300 and 325. Hope he gets well soon. Bucs can ill afford to have him down a long time. He’s young and will recover. Just hope that calf injury is not his..achilles heel for the year.

  13. BringBucsBack Says:

    Players’ schedules are so regimented, structured and organized that it seems that they do (nearly) everything by rote. I truly wonder if these guys spend enough time stretching and becoming flexible or even know how. There are a lot of non-contact injuries that seem avoidable with knowledgeable trainers or even yoga.

    I don’t know how Vea injured himself however, when I watch these guys warm-up and stretch it just seems that they are casually going to the motions, with restrictive pads on no less.

  14. BringBucsBack Says:

    …going “through” the motions …

  15. Gene Deckehoff is my hero Says:

    Should’ve drafted Derwin James…

  16. BigMacAttack Says:

    Agree BringBucsBack 100%. Stretching is so important and it always seems to be a low priority. Yoga is another thing they should look at as well. So many hate doing it but it pays off and reduces injuries.

  17. BigMacAttack Says:

    I think Vea will be worthy of the pick even if it takes a while. The guy I miss is Davin Joseph. Loved that guy.

  18. BucNole Says:

    Vea will be just fine. . . quit whining. . . geeze

  19. uckinator Says:

    If he’s as advertised, 3 holes would be filled up with one man. No QB sneaks or up the gut RB plays through either guard spot. Just need to clog up the middle. 350 pounds will do that.

  20. Oxycondoms Says:

    If it doesn’t work out I can see him being successful at WWE

  21. SOEbuc Says:

    @Godeep66

    “Looks like another great pick by our GM.”

    Is that sarcasm? If so you sound like an idiot. JL has had many a great picks. Last year alone-OJ,J.Evans, and that Godwin guy in the first three. Vea has a minor calf strain from what it looks like. Shut ur yap.