Bucs' YaYa Diaby Believed to Have MCL Sprain, Not Expected to Miss Extended Time

Tampa Bay's outside linebacker left Sunday's shutout of Atlanta early with a knee injury, but the early read on it is encouraging

XFN NFC Staff Posted Nov 2, 2026, 12:27 PM EST

The Buccaneers appear to have avoided a long-term loss on the edge. Outside linebacker YaYa Diaby suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in Sunday's 16-0 win over the Falcons, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Monday. Diaby had an MRI on Monday to confirm that it was only an MCL, but the hope is the injury won't cost him extended time.

Diaby got hurt in the first quarter on a chop block by Falcons tight end Nick Muse. He was initially listed as questionable to return with a knee injury and was ruled out a little later. He left the field under his own power, which was an early good sign.

Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet): It’s a Grade 2 MCL sprain for YaYa Diaby, source said. He’ll miss some time, but should be back within a matter of weeks. https://t.co/hKz65aGmdq

The injury comes just as Diaby was getting going. He didn't have a sack through the first six games of his contract year, then broke out with a career-high three sacks in the Week 7 rout of Carolina, becoming the first Buccaneer with a three-sack game since Devin White in 2020. He also has an interception, the first of his career, from the win at Dallas, and he entered Sunday tied for the team lead with six tackles for loss.

Tampa Bay has the depth to get by for a few weeks. First-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. is already starting on the edge, David Walker leads the team with four sacks, and veteran Al-Quadin Muhammad has two. If the MRI confirms a sprain, the question is whether Diaby misses a game or two or lands on short-term injured reserve, which would cost him at least four.

The Bucs are 3-5 after back-to-back wins and sit a half game out of first place in the NFC South. They visit the Bears on Sunday night, Nov. 8.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay BuccaneersYaYa DiabyInjuriesChicago Bears