Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Dealing with multiple injuries
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David (ankle/chest) was a DNP during Thursday's practice.
David was forced to exit this past Sunday's game against the Falcons due to an ankle injury. It appears he's also dealing with a chest issue, and his practice participation over the next two days will indicate whether he'll be able to play against the Chiefs on Monday. If David cannot play, J.J. Russell or Antonio Grier could get the start at inside linebacker alongside K.J. Britt
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Leaves game with ankle injury
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David (ankle) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against Atlanta, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
David had seven tackles (four solo) before leaving in the second half of Sunday's game. He went back to the locker room after being checked on by trainers, and while he's sidelined, Antonio Grier and J.J. Russell should see more snaps at inside linebacker alongside starter K.J. Britt.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Tallies nine stops in Week 6 win
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David registered nine tackles (six solo), including 1.0 sacks, in a 51-27 victory versus the Saints on Sunday.
David came into Sunday with exactly eight tackles in three straight games, and he went one above that number to finish with a season-high nine stops against New Orleans. The linebacker also recorded his third sack of the campaign, all of which have come over the past three weeks. David is on pace to easily surpass his career-best mark of 7.0 sacks established in 2013.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Picks off pass Thursday
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David recorded eight tackles (six solo) and intercepted a pass in Thursday's overtime loss to Atlanta.
David came up with a big interception with just under two minutes remaining in the contest to put Tampa Bay in a good position for a victory, but the team's offense couldn't pick up a first down, and the Falcons were able to kick a game-tying field goal as time expired to send the contest into an extra period. The pickoff was the 13th of David's career but his first since the 2020 campaign. Through five weeks, the veteran linebacker has recorded 37 tackles (23 solo), including 2.0 sacks, while forcing two fumbles and registering three pass defenses.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Forced fumble in loss
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David recorded eight total tackles (three solo) and a forced fumble in Sunday's 26-7 loss to the Broncos.
David finished second on the team to cornerback Jamel Dean in takedowns while forcing a fumble on a carry by Denver running back Javonte Williams in the second quarter, which was ultimately recovered by teammate Logan Hall. David has now compiled 21 total tackles (12 solo) and a forced fumble over the first three games in 2024.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Remaining with Bucs
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David has agreed to terms on a one-year, $9 million contract with the Buccaneers to remain in Tampa Bay, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
David is one of several players Tampa Bay is bringing back for the 2024 campaign. He led the team last year with 134 tackles (86 solo), including 4.5 sacks, to go along with five passes defensed and a forced fumble. The 34-year-old also accumulated 17 tackles for loss, which are the second-most in a single season by a player age 33 or older. A second-round draft pick in 2012, the veteran projects to continue starting at inside linebacker for the Bucs' defense.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Standout performance in loss
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David posted 13 tackles (nine solo), including a sack and an additional tackle for loss, in the Buccaneers' 31-23 divisional-round loss to the Lions on Sunday.
The veteran linebacker was all over the field against a talented Lions offense, tying his second-highest tackle total since the start of the regular season. David's breakout finish to the 2023 campaign was fitting, considering he collected 134 tackles (86 total), including 4.5 sacks, five defensed passes and one forced fumble over 15 regular-season contests. Despite the fact David turns 34 on Tuesday, the fact he put together what was arguably his best all-around season since 2015 this past campaign makes him an intriguing pending unrestricted free agent the Buccaneers will likely have to make a difficult decision on this offseason.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Solid showing in wild-card win
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David totaled five tackles (all solo), including two for loss, in the Buccaneers' 32-9 wild-card win over the Eagles on Monday night.
David was a distant second in stops on the night to surprise tackle leader Jamel Dean (10 tackles), but the veteran linebacker still put together a solid performance. David's pass-coverage savvy was partly responsible for Tampa Bay containing tight end Dallas Goedert -- who was expected to be a bigger part of the Eagles' air attack in the absence of A.J. Brown (knee) -- to just four catches and 21 yards, albeit with one of those going for a touchdown. David should be busy once again in Sunday's road divisional-round clash against the Lions, considering rookie TE sensation Sam LaPorta awaits.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Returns to practice
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David (groin) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice session.
David missed the last two games after sustaining a groin injury in Week 11 against the 49ers. He played every defensive snap in the eight games prior to his injury and looks to be on track to return for Week 14 against the Falcons. David has recorded 90 tackles (58 solo), including three sacks, and a forced fumble in 10 games this season.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Still working through injury
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David (groin) didn't participate during Wednesday's walk-through practice.
David was unable to play in Week 12 against the Colts and appears to be in danger of missing Tampa Bay's Week 13 tilt with the Panthers. The veteran linebacker could conceivably suit up for the matchup without practicing, but ideally, he'll get back on the field Thursday or Friday in some capacity.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Won't play Week 12
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David (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Colts, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
David hasn't practiced since he suffered a groin strain Week 12, so it's no surprise to see him ruled out versus Indianapolis. In his stead, K.J. Britt and SirVocea Dennis will be candidates to handle increased snaps, especially if Devin White (foot) also ends up on the sidelines.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Looking unlikely for Week 12
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David (groin) is considered a long shot to suit up for Sunday's game against the Colts, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
David didn't practice Wednesday due to a groin injury, reportedly a strain, he suffered Week 11. The standout linebacker will have two more opportunities to increase the level of his practice activity, but at this point, it looks like he's trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's road matchup at Indianapolis.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Misses practice Wednesday
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David (groin) did not participate in practice Wednesday.
David reportedly suffered a strained groin in the Week 11 loss to the 49ers and underwent an MRI earlier this week. The Bucs are dealing with injuries all over their defense headed into Sunday's date with the Colts.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Won't return Sunday
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David has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the 49ers due to a groin injury, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
David was productive before leaving Sunday's game, as he racked up seven solo tackles, including a sack and three tackles for a loss. He'll be unavailable for the final quarter, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be able to suit up for next Sunday's game against the Colts. SirVocea Dennis has replaced David at linebacker against San Francisco.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Records 14 tackles in loss
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David had 14 tackles (six solo) in Thursday's 24-18 loss to the Bills.
David once again led the team in tackles, and Thursday's performance was the third straight game in which he has registered double-digit tackles. He's far and away the leading tackler on the team with 67 total tackles and also leads the team with seven tackles for a loss. David will look to build on his performance in Week 9 on the road against the Texans.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Records 12 tackles, sack in defeat
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David recorded 12 tackles (nine solo), two tackles for loss, one sack and one pass breakup in the Bucs' Week 6 loss to the Lions Sunday.
The 33-year-old has played every defensive snap over the last four games and 99 percent of the downs on the year through five contests. The career Buccaneer has 40 tackles (25 solo), five TFLs, two sacks and one pass breakup on the season.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Big game in loss
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David logged 13 tackles (nine solo) ane one sack in Monday's 25-11 loss to the Eagles.
David's 13 tackles were good enough for a game-high, and his sack was the first he tallied through three games. He was on the field for all 78 snaps, which makes it back-to-back games without him missing one. The star linebacker will look to continue producing at a high level in Week 4 in New Orleans.
David (concussion) was forced out of Sunday's game against the Vikings, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
David collided with teammate Vita Vea during the second half of Sunday's season opener, and it appears he took a hit to the head and will be questionable to return for the remainder of this contest. The 33-year-old collected over 100 tackles for the 10th time in his career last season, and his absence will be a significant loss for Tampa Bay's defense. With David sidelined, K.J. Britt and SirVocea Dennis will step up into bigger roles alongside starting inside linebacker Devin White.
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Buccaneers' Lavonte David: Staying with Tampa
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Davis agreed Wednesday with the Buccaneers on a one-year deal, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reports.
The 33-year-old linebacker started all 17 games last season, finishing with his most tackles (124) since 2015 and his most sacks (three) since 2018. Pro Football Focus even graded David third among off-ball linebackers (85.1 score), though teammate Devin White had better IDP numbers while grading out 74th of 81 qualifiers (43.7). Both are viable candidates to lead the Bucs in tackles in 2013, but White's superior speed and pass rushing makes him the more attractive IDP option even if he's not quite as reliable from snap to snap as Tampa Bay's elder statesman in the linebacking corps.
David recorded eight tackles (six solo) during Sunday's 30-24 win over the Panthers.
David led the Buccaneers' in tackles for the third consecutive game, and he has now posted 120 tackles over 16 contests this season. This is also the 11th-year linebacker's ninth season of 100 tackles or more. David could have a chance to continue piling up tackles Week 18 against the Falcons' rush-heavy offense.
