- Buccaneers defender Vita Vea chipped a tooth on a nasty hit against the Indianapolis Colts.
- Vea's face got exposed after his helmet rode up mid-play, leaving his mouth unguarded.
Buccaneers defender Vita Vea chipped a tooth while taking a brutal helmet to the face on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.
During the first half of the game, Vea's helmet slid up as he made his charge towards the Colts line. Colts offensive lineman Mark Glowinski, tasked with stopping Vea, collided with his exposed face, sending a bit of chipped tooth flying through the air in the middle of the play.
Despite the tough shot to the face, Vea was still all smiles walking off the field.
—The SportingNews (@sportingnews) November 28, 2021
Vea's smile came with good reason, as the Bucs were able to rally back from a 10-point deficit to beat the Colts, outscoring Indianapolis 24-7 in the second half.
After the game, Vea showed off his newly chipped tooth for team photographers.
—Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) November 28, 2021
Vea's head coach Bruce Arians had little sympathy for his defender's dental malady.
"I don't care," Arians said. "He's got 30 other ones."
—Ari Meirov (@AriMeirov) November 28, 2021
Arians might have just been settling for a round number, but for what it's worth, Vea should have 31 other teeth unless there's another tooth missing from his mouth related to a previously unknown instance of dental damage.
Regardless, Vea left Indianapolis with one tooth less than he came with, but the Buccaneers left with one more win. Judging by his smile, it's a trade Vea would happily make again.