The Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium for their Week 1 matchup on Sunday afternoon. Both teams have faced each other 25 times, including three postseason games, and the Commanders have won 13 games, while the Buccaneers have won 12, according to The Football Database. FanDuel Sportsbook has the over/under set at 44.5 points, while the Buccaneers are favored by 3.5.
The Buccaneers’ defense hopes to pick up where they left off after finishing seventh in points allowed and tenth in sacks from a season ago. They did lose two pass rushers in the offseason, parting ways with Shaq Barrett and Randy Gregory. However, their leading sacker could play in their season-opener after missing over a month of practice.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers leading sacker suffered an ankle injury in August
Yaya Diaby suffered an apparent lower leg injury on August 1 after he got tangled up with massive defensive tackle Vita Vea, fearing that he suffered a season-ending injury. The medical staff carted him off the field, and he underwent an X-ray and an MRI to determine the severity of the injury.
Thankfully, the injury wasn’t severe, but suffered a high-ankle sprain. Diaby faced a 4-6 week recovery time and missed the next month of practice. He was optimistic he would be ready for Week 1.
Yaya Diaby returned to practice
According to Greg Auman of FOX Sports, Diaby returned to practice for the first time in over a month. The Buccaneers will release their first injury report of the regular season on Wednesday and will get a better idea of whether he will play in Week 1 later in the week. Having him back for Week 1 will be huge for their pass rush, especially since they face the 6th-worst offensive line in the league, according to PFF.
Good news for Bucs: OLB Yaya Diaby is practicing today for first time since his ankle injury Aug. 1. pic.twitter.com/WpZuw6Uh3S
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) September 2, 2024
The Commanders overhauled their offensive line this offseason, parting ways with LT Charles Leno Jr., LG Saahdiq Charles, and C Nick Gates. They signed Nick Allegretti (left guard) and Tyler Biadasz (center). The only remaining starting offensive line spot in dispute is left tackle, as either rookie Brandon Coleman or veteran swing tackle Cornelius Lucas serves as the blindside blocker.
NFL fans react to Yaya Diaby returning to practice
Hopefully tomorrow he feels good
— jvwright0904 (@johwri89) September 2, 2024
That’s awesome. Beast
— Steven (@Steven86Pl) September 2, 2024
GREAT news .. our “weakest” position
— Nirvana123 (@Nirvana12319) September 2, 2024
My dawwwwwwg! @greatyaya4 #YaYaTheGreat
— ‘War Buc’ 🪖 (@TampaBayWarBuc) September 2, 2024
