The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are keeping star linebacker Lavonte David around after agreeing to a one-year deal with him on Tuesday that is worth up to $10 million, according to sources. David's base value will be around $9 million in 2024. It's a huge win for the Buccaneers defense, as the 34-year-old former All-Pro will stick around for his 13th season with the organization in 2024. David led the club with 134 tackles (86 solo) last year, also adding 4.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, five QB hits, five passes defended and a forced fumble in 15 regular-season starts. Although he's nearing the end of his career, as long as David stays on the field, he should be in consideration for a starting lineup spot at linebacker in IDP fantasy leagues on a weekly basis. In his 12-year NFL career David has failed to reach 100-plus total tackles just twice.
Lavonte David, Devin White Out For Buccaneers Defense
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that linebackers Lavonte David (groin) and Devin White (foot), defensive back Jamel Dean (ankle, foot) and defensive tackle Mike Greene (calf) are all out for the Week 13 game against the Carolina Panthers this Sunday. Those are some key pieces that will be missing from a Buccaneers defense that already hasn't been very good this year. This will be David's second straight missed game. White has been dealing with a foot injury in recent weeks but has played through it. Dean suffered an ankle injury in the Week 11 loss to the San Francisco 49ers and was forced to miss last week's loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The Bucs still have a great matchup this weekend against the one-win Panthers, but not having David, White and Dean is definitely notable.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles officially ruled out linebacker Lavonte David (groin) and cornerback Jamel Dean (ankle) for the Week 12 contest versus the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Devin White (foot) is also up in the air to play this weekend, so the Bucs could be missing three key defenders against Indy. With David out, K.J. Britt and SirVocea Dennis could both see increased snaps in the middle of Tampa's defense. Zyon McCollum and Dee Delaney should see more playing time in the secondary with Dean out. David was tied for 15th in overall fantasy points at the linebacker position in IDP leagues coming into Week 12, so fantasy managers in those formats will be forced to go in another direction if they were using David in a starting spot. It's a pretty big blow to the Bucs' defense this week.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (groin) won't return to Sunday's matchup with the 49ers. The Bucs are having a terrible time keeping guys on the field, with Carlton Davis III (hip) and Jamel Dean (foot/ankle) also going down with injuries. That said, David, arguably the team's top defender, will end Week 11 with seven tackles, three tackles for a loss, and a sack. Of course, the question remains if he'll be available for the Week 12 meeting against the Indianapolis Colts. However, David will likely appear on the injury report heading into that one.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David said that he re-signed with the team on an undisclosed one-year deal on Wednesday. David will return to Tampa for his 12th season after the Bucs originally selected him in the second round in 2012 out of Nebraska. The 33-year-old veteran has been a tackling machine in his career and was excellent in 2022 with 124 tackles (80 solo), three sacks, 10 tackles for loss, five passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 17 regular season starts. Despite being on the wrong side of 30, David hasn't shown many signs of slowing down and should be back on the IDP radar next year. He's had over 100 total tackles in all but two of his 11 NFL campaigns.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers long-time great linebacker Lavonte David, who is coming off one of his most productive seasons, is expected to test the free-agent market this offseason, according to a source. A return to Tampa hasn't been ruled out, but it will be challenging to retain him given their salary cap situation this year. The 33-year-old veteran put up 124 tackles (80 solo), three sacks, 10 tackles for loss, three QB hits, five passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 17 regular season starts in 2022 in his 11th season with the Bucs. While he is no longer in his prime, David remains highly productive and should be in play in IDP fantasy leagues no matter where he winds up in free agency.
ESPN's Field Yates expects the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to re-sign impending free-agent linebacker Lavonte David this offseason. If the Buccaneers commit to a youth movement and a rebuild, perhaps David isn't retained. However, Yates firmly believes that he carries immense value for the franchise, regardless of where they are in their trajectory. The 33-year-old veteran brings plenty of leadership qualities and had 124 tackles, three sacks and five pass breakups in 2022. He has spent all 11 of his NFL seasons with Tampa and has gone over 100 combined tackles in all but two of those seasons. David should continue to be attractive in IDP fantasy leagues in 2023, regardless of where he's playing.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (foot) has been cleared to begin training camp and is ready to participate in workouts, beginning on Wednesday. Even though David didn't need to be played on the Physically Unable to Perform list, the team will be careful with him this summer. The 32-year-old missed five games during the regular season in 2021 due to foot and ankle injuries, but he still managed 97 tackles (63 solo), five tackles for loss, four QB hits, two sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 12 games for Tampa. He has a great chance to be ready for the Week 1 season opener, and David should be in the mix in IDP fantasy leagues if he's healthy this year. David has had 100-plus combined tackles in eight of his 10 NFL seasons.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebacker Lavonte David (foot) is dealing with a foot sprain, according to a source. It's possible that David could be back in time for the Week 18 season finale against the Carolina Panthers, but his recovery could take up to four weeks. The 31-year-old Pro Bowler will be a big loss for a Buccaneers team that was devastated by injuries on both sides of the ball in their Sunday night loss to the division-rival New Orleans Saints. David won't be available for those in IDP leagues the rest of the way, and he had been a force with 97 tackles (63 solo), two sacks, three passes defensed, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 12 games. Tampa's defense is still strong up front, but they'll need K.J. Britt and Kevin Minter to step up at inside linebacker with David set to miss time.
Lavonte David, Antoine Winfield Jr. Won't Play Against Eagles
Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebacker Lavonte David (ankle) and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (concussion) have both been ruled out for Thursday night's action against the Philadelphia Eagles. Defensive lineman Patrick O'Connor (calf) and outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul (hand, shoulder) are also questionable. David and Winfield are two of the team's best defensive players, so the Eagles will catch a break there. Philadelphia has been abandoning their running game early in recent weeks, and that could again be the case against the high-scoring Buccaneers offense. Even without David and Winfield while going up against a young and inexperienced Eagles offense that will likely be missing tight end Dallas Goedert, the Buccaneers defense remains a top-10 fantasy unit this week.
