The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had one of their best overall team performances of the season in a 16-0 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.

The Bucs rolled up 324 yards — all of them on the ground, which set a franchise mark — with Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell each setting career highs with 170 and 140 yards, respectively. The Bucs’ defense picked off Atlanta’s Michael Penix, Jr. four times, with Alex Anzalone notching two of them. Chase McLaughlin drilled all three field goal attempts and an extra point.

It was almost a day of all smiles. Almost. Bucs edge rusher Yaya Diaby exited the game with a knee injury in the first quarter and did not return.

Bucs EDGE Yaya Diaby believed to have an MCI sprain rather than a more serious injury

However, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Diaby is believed to have suffered an MCL sprain which is a potentially far less significant injury than it could have been.

#Bucs outside linebacker YaYa Diaby, who exited Sunday’s win early, is believed to have suffered an MCL sprain, source says. He’ll have an MRI this morning, but the hope is the injury is not one to cause him to miss extended time. pic.twitter.com/r1nJQnwxix

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 2, 2026

If it is indeed a sprain, we’re likely talking about games instead of months or the remainder of the season. The Bucs also have a week off after Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears, so Diaby will have some built in rest and recovery time there. If he is placed on injured reserve this week, the earliest he would be able to return would be on Sunday, Dec. 13 at Baltimore.

Diaby was coming off a banner day against Carolina last week. He totaled three sacks in the Bucs’ 43-13 win over the Panthers in Charlotte.

We’ll find out this week how the Bucs will handle their standout defender, but for now, the early signs are optimistic.