​Vita Vea’s contract situation with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been resolved, but that does not mean the two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle will immediately return to game action. Vea will not play in the Buccaneers’ second preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs as he continues ramping up for the regular season. The decision comes shortly after Tampa Bay agreed to a one-year, $30 million extension with Vea, ending the hold that had kept him from fully participating during training camp. The new agreement keeps Vea under contract through the 2027 season.The lack of preseason action should not come as a major surprise considering how little Vea has participated since the beginning of camp. Vea initially missed practice after tweaking his back during the conditioning test on the opening day of training camp. Todd Bowles described the injury as day-to-day at the time, with Vea having been held out of practice while also dealing with the contract situation. The “back issue” and the hold in ultimately kept Vea from getting meaningful practice repetitions with the defense. Rather than putting him on the field for a preseason game while he works his way back, Tampa Bay appears more interested in having its veteran defensive tackle ready when the games begin to count in September. The 31-year-old remains one of the most important players on Tampa Bay’s defense as he started all 17 games last season and recorded 34 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 13 quarterback hits.His presence in the middle of the defensive line affects more than the statistics. Vea routinely draws multiple blockers, creating opportunities for the players around him to make plays, and will do so now, especially after Tampa Bay fortified its defensive line with the likes of A’Shawn Robinson, Al-Quadin Muhammed and Rueben Bain Jr. Now that the contract issue is behind them, the Buccaneers can focus entirely on getting Vea physically prepared for the regular season. There is little reason to risk him in the preseason when his importance to the defense extends well beyond August, and the main priority now is having Vea healthy and ready for Week 1.This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Vita Vea Will Sit Out Preseason