Pair of Buccaneers Stars Will Be Game-Time Decisions on Sunday

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers appeared to have turned a corner when they topped the Seattle Seahawks in Munich, Germany in Week 10, but a couple of key injuries could keep them from fulfilling their promise this week. Head coach Todd Bowles declared running back Leonard Fournette and defensive tackle Vita Vea game-time decisions for Sunday's matchup with the Cleveland Browns.

Bowles says Vita Vea and Leonard Fournette are both making progress, will be game-day decisions Sunday. Only WR Russell Gage and G Luke Goedeke ruled out for Browns game.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) November 25, 2022

Fournette exited against the Seahawks after 22 snaps with a hip injury. Despite the limited playing time and ceding the start to rookie Rachaad White, he touched the ball 15 times for 58 yards from scrimmage in the game. The Bucs can likely get by for at least one week while leaning on White and backup Ke'Shawn Vaughn.

Vea played his typical allotment of snaps in the Week 10 international game but experienced soreness in his foot during the team's bye week. Despite playing nose tackle, he leads the Bucs with 6.5 sacks.

Vea's absence in particular could loom large against the Browns and their superstar running back Nick Chubb. When Vea and fellow defensive tackle Akiem Hicks are healthy, they form one of the league's deadliest run-stuffing duos. In the three contests the pair have completed in good health, the Bucs have allowed a mere 59.3 rushing yards per game. In the Bucs' seven other games, they've allowed 141.1.