Despite losing the unquestioned GOAT, Tom Brady, during last offseason, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the NFC South for the third consecutive season in 2023. A career season from former first-round pick turned journeyman quarterback Baker Mayfield helped, but Tampa Bay allowed just 19.1 points per game, the seventh-lowest average in the NFL. Leading the way for the Buccaneers’ defense was rookie sensation YaYa Diaby, posting an excellent 7.5 sack campaign.
Diaby left training camp practice early via the cart on Thursday after the pass rusher suffered a lower leg injury. The Buccaneers held their breath following the incident, but initial reports suggest the standout rookie avoided a severe injury.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers OLB YaYa Diaby: Carted Off Field with Lower Leg Injury
On Thursday, Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker YaYa Diaby went down at practice with an apparent lower leg injury. Tampa Bay eventually sent the cart for Diaby, with the pass rusher leaving practice early. X-rays on Diaby’s ankles have returned negative, giving the team optimism that he avoided a significant injury when tangled up with Vita Vea during team drills. A severe ankle sprain or a bone bruise could still be in play for Diaby, who is awaiting an MRI. Head coach Todd Bowles spoke to the media following the conclusion of Thursday’s practice,
Buccaneers’ HC Todd Bowles gives an update on YaYa Diaby.
Diaby injured his ankle and team is ‘hopeful’ it isn’t severe. #Bucs pic.twitter.com/moR5vb5sZn
— BucsGameday (@BucsGameday) August 1, 2024
“He has an ankle (injury). That’s all we know right now. We will see what the prognosis is as we go forward and he takes some more tests. It’s football. We will wait for the results to come in. Right now, we are hopeful. We will wait and see before we say all is lost. He is having a great camp, and he is a great player.”
According to Bucs reporter JC Allen, sources confirm Diaby could move his ankle post-practice. The situation is less “scary” than when fellow pass rusher Shaq Barrett tore his Achilles in 2022. Barrett suffered a torn Achilles tendon in a Week 8 loss two seasons ago, followed by a statistical falloff in 2023.
Diaby: Star for Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023
With the 82nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Louisville edge rusher YaYa Diaby. The six-foot-four, 270-pound defender posted a ludicrous 14 TFLs and nine sacks in his final season with the Louisville Cardinals. After a slow start to his rookie campaign, Diaby came alive during the second half of the season. Diaby collected 29 tackles, ten TFLs, and 6.5 sacks in the team’s final nine games. He recorded 12 tackles, five TFLs, and 2.5 sacks in the team’s final three regular season games. He also tallied four tackles across the team’s two playoff games.
An elongated absence from Diaby could force the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to play second-round draft pick Chris Braswell or NFL veteran Anthony Nelson. Brawell played for the Alabama Crimson Tide last season, tallying 42 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, and eight sacks. He also added an interception and three forced fumbles. Meanwhile, Nelson enters his sixth NFL season, all with the Bucs. He has recorded 14.5 sacks during that stretch.
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