Buccaneers tackle Vita Vea chipped a tooth while playing. Coach Bruce Arians: 'I don't care'

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Vita Vea will need a trip to the dentist's office soon.

He better hope the appointment isn't during football practice – and an excusatory note may not cut it.

On Sunday, Vea lost a tooth in the first half. His helmet slid up and Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman Mark Glowinski, blocking Vea on the play, chipped Vea's pearly white when the two collided in the trenches.

Asked about the (partially) missing tooth after the game, a 38-31 last-minute victory for the Buccaneers (8-3), Tampa Bay head coach Bruce Arians wasn't too impressed with Vea's toughness.

"I don't care," Arians told reporters. "He's got 30 other ones."

(Adults have 32 teeth so perhaps Arians meant 31.)

Plus, Vea has proved his grit in more ways than that this season. The fourth-year nose tackle was carted off the field two weeks ago in Washington with a knee injury but avoided significant time missed.

Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Vita Vea's chipped tooth gets no reaction from Bucs coach Bruce Arians