Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker YaYa Diaby was carted off the practice field Thursday with a left ankle injury.

Initial X-rays were clean but Diaby was scheduled to undergo an MRI later Thursday, per the Tampa Bay Times.

"Right now, we're hopeful," head coach Todd Bowles told reporters after practice.

Diaby was injured during 11-on-11 drills when he got tangled up with defensive tackle Vita Vea, teammates said.

A third-round draft pick in 2023, Diaby delivered 7.5 sacks, 38 tackles and two fumble recoveries in 17 games (seven starts) during his rookie campaign.

Diaby and veteran Lavonte David are the Bucs' projected starters at outside linebacker for the Bucs, who open the preseason on Aug. 10 at Cincinnati.

--Field Level Media