ESPN tabs key Bucs player whose injury shook 2024 season as team’s X-factor in 2025
The 2024 season makes this pick a no-brainer.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense got off to a strong start in the 2024 season. Well, outside of one shaky afternoon against the Denver Broncos, that is. On the way to a 3-1 start to the season, the Bucs put the clamps on the offenses of three of the best teams in the NFC in the Washington Commanders, Detroit Lions, and Philadelphia Eagles.
A common theme for that stretch? LB SirVocea Dennis was on the field. The second-year linebacker was playing at a high level next to veteran Lavonte David.
Then, during the 33-16 win over the eventual Super Bowl champion Eagles, Dennis suffered a shoulder injury and was lost for the season. As Bucs fans know, major problems arose in the middle of the field in the passing game for the remainder of the season.
That’s why ESPN’s Ben Solak gave the nod to Dennis as the Bucs’ X-factor for the 2025 season. Solak named one player for all 32 teams, and the former Pitt Panther was a logical choice for Tampa Bay.
This is what Solak had to say:
The Buccaneers endured a ton of injuries in their back seven last season. The pass defense suffered for it, ranking 22nd in success rate against dropbacks and 24th in expected points added (EPA) per play. The LB2 position was an issue in coverage and run defense, as Dennis’ early-season shoulder injury left K.J. Britt, J.J. Russell and even veteran Deion Jones filling the spot.
Tampa Bay let Britt and Russell walk, and the team signed only Anthony Walker, Jr. for depth. It then released Walker before the 53-man roster cut-down deadline. It’s hard to read this as anything but a ringing endorsement for Dennis’ health and preparedness to fill the starting spot opposite Lavonte David.
And for good reason: Dennis’ film was strong last September. He always has had issues staying on the field, but when he does, he’ll discourage those middle-of-the-field targets that often hurt Tampa Bay against quality pocket passers. That plus the young additions in the secondary could get the Bucs’ defense punching at the weight of their offense in 2025.
The Bucs will need Dennis to stay healthy if their defense is going to play at the level it needs to in order to take that next step and make a serious push at returning to the Super Bowl this season. Deion Jones played well in limited action against Washington in the Wild Card round, but who knows what a full season would bring.
The only other ILB on the 53-man roster is undrafted free agent Josh Bullock. He played well during the preseason, but it would obviously not be ideal for him to be thrown right into the deep end playing substantial snaps in the event of an injury.
With Dennis back on the field, Tampa Bay’s defense should take a substantial step forward at curing what ailed them for the majority of the 2024 season. But Bucs fans might be holding their breath for a while when he makes a hard tackle early in the season.
He’s a player that this franchise has shown it simply can’t lose.
