NFL teams
Jenna Laine, ESPN Staff Writer 2y

Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB Lavonte David will miss at least one game while recovering from ankle injury, source says

NFL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebacker Lavonte David will miss at least Thursday night's game at the Philadelphia Eagles while recovering from a low ankle sprain, a source confirmed to ESPN on Monday.

Initial X-rays were negative for fractures, and an MRI on Monday revealed the sprain, which typically takes three to four weeks to heal. The source told ESPN that David's status is week to week.

He suffered the injury late in the second quarter of the Bucs' 45-17 victory against the Miami Dolphins, when he got rolled up on by teammate Ndamukong Suh while blitzing Jacoby Brissett.

"Each guy's so different," coach Bruce Arians said of David's injury on Monday. "Doesn't appear to be heavy swelling. It's just a matter of if he can run and cut on it, and we'll see."

David will be replaced by veteran Kevin Minter, a captain on special teams over the last two seasons. Minter started in place of Devin White in the NFC wild-card win over Washington last season, tallying six combined tackles and a pass breakup.

David's status for Thursday's game was first reported by NFL Network.

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