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Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Key Defensive Cog SirVocea Dennis Reveals Health Update
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Key Defensive Cog SirVocea Dennis Reveals Health Update originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker SirVocea Dennis ended his season prematurely last season after a shoulder injury that eventually required surgery. That surgery occurred in late October, putting part of his 2025 season in question.
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His departure was noticed as the defense suffered, falling to No. 31 in the league just three games after losing the now-25-year-old.
That means he clearly had a positive effect on the unit, and the Buccaneers think he can continue that trend in 2025.
His recovery seems to be going well, as he's been at One Buc Place and participating in OTAs. He updated the media on his condition as we approach training camp.
"I feel great. Actually, I felt great [during] our last playoff game, really," Dennis said. "It just feels amazing being out here practicing with the guys, just being around football and just being back just to play healthy."
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How important is Dennis to the defense?
ESPN's Ben Solak broke it down earlier this offseason.
"When Dennis was healthy last season, he was fighting K.J. Britt for the starting linebacker spot opposite Lavonte David -- and he was winning that competition," Solak wrote. "Dennis was particularly impressive in coverage over the middle of the field, and after his Week 4 shoulder injury, the Buccaneers started getting hammered in the intermediate middle by opposing quarterbacks. Tampa Bay passed entirely on the linebacker position in the 2025 draft and let Britt go in free agency.
"With only Anthony Walker Jr. as depth, the Buccaneers have clearly placed their faith in Dennis to play the majority of the snaps opposite David. Tampa Bay's pass defense was the limiting factor in its postseason push last season, and Dennis should provide a boost there."
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Dennis posted 22 total tackles with 14 solo and one for loss with a sack and a quarterback hit before the injury just four games into the season.
Related: Buccaneers Offensive Lineman Favored for NFL's New Protector of the Year Award
Related: Haason Reddick Absent from Buccaneers Voluntary OTAs ... So What?
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
