It’s the Bucs vs. Ravens for MNF, and this matchup of high-flyers just got more interesting. Tampa fans can breathe a little easier heading into Week 7, thanks to some good news on the injury front. Turns out, their star defensive tackle, Vita Vea, might be suiting up after all!

For those sweating over Vita Vea’s late addition to the injury report (hamstring), don’t worry. The big man is expected to play against the Ravens. Even though he popped up with that hamstring issue on Saturday, the Bucs kept him out of practice more as a precaution than a real concern.

Facing a Ravens team that loves to dominate with its run game, having Vea on the field is huge. The Ravens’ backfield combo of Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson is a nightmare for defenses, especially when they’re both in rhythm. If Vea can help clog up the middle, Tampa’s chances of keeping Baltimore in check go way up.

Vea’s been on fire lately, too. The guy has notched a sack in three straight games since coming back, and that’s not easy for a defensive tackle. But let’s be real—taking down Lamar is a whole different game. Jackson’s agility and quick decision-making make him one of the hardest players to sack. Vea’s job will not be limited to just making tackles. It would also be about being a disruptive force that makes life tough for Jackson.

The big question is how much Vea’s hamstring will hold up. Will he be on a snap count? Even if he’s not at 100%, his presence alone gives Tampa a better shot at slowing down Baltimore’s offense.

Vita Vea to keep Lamar in check

Imagine a beast in the middle of the defensive line with a rare combination of size, strength, and athleticism. Yup! That’s Vita Vea for you. He stands at 6’4″ and weighs around 350 pounds. How typical of a tackle, right? Well, while it’s a typical DT built, add a tinge of brick-like hardness, and Voila, you have built your Madden Pro, closely resembling Vea.

But where the opposition’s tactics go amiss is that they let his size fool them. That’s a mistake! Sure, he’s a giant, but asking your QB to depend on the pace would be a naïve mistake. Let us make it clear: Vea is surprisingly quick for a guy his size.

His role as a nose tackle is pretty much—clogging up running lanes and eating up double teams. And to be honest, he does his job better than almost anyone in the league. His ability to take on multiple blockers not only frees up his teammates to make plays. But he can also collapse the pocket himself. When he bull-rushes offensive linemen, it’s like they’re being pushed back by a bulldozer.

Hence why Vea’s return is even more so important for the Bucs. Especially when they are set to face against a team like the Ravens because he’s a one-man wrecking crew in the trenches. Baltimore’s run-heavy offense and Lamar Jackson’s scrambling are a nightmare for most defenses. But Vea’s ability to clog up the middle and collapse the pocket changes the game.

You can expect him to force the Ravens to think twice about running up the gut and make it tough for Lamar to escape. When Vea’s owning the line, the Ravens’ offense has to play differently. And that’s exactly what the Bucs need (to slow them down). What will this do? Well, it’d open the game for their fiery offense, led by Baker Mayfield, to do what they have been doing, so far this season.