TAMPA, Fla. -- Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles acknowledged that Pro Bowl defensive tackle Vita Vea is a minicamp hold-in.
Vea has been present at practices but has been observing on the sideline and not physically participating. Doing so avoids a fine as minicamps are considered mandatory.
"It's not concerning. We've been through it before. It's part of the business," Bowles said Wednesday.
When asked if he was confident that a resolution could be reached prior to the start of training camp, Bowles said, "I could not tell you that."
Vita Vea watches Bucs practice Wednesday, but is not physically participating as he enters the final year of his four-year contract. AP Photo/Chris O'Meara Bowles has been vague on the issue. On Tuesday, when asked if Vea was injured, he said, "No he is not."
Asked why he wasn't participating, Bowles said, "We're just bringing him in that late. He's full-speed. He needs to go through training camp, but we don't need to see him right now."
Vea had not participated in OTAs -- which are optional -- and instead has been training with former Bucs teammate Ndamukong Suh in Portland, Oregon, something he has done for multiple years.