The Buccaneers are getting a big piece back on defense - or at least, they’re hoping to. Tampa Bay has officially designated defensive tackle Calijah Kancey to return from injured reserve, opening his 21-day practice window. That gives the team some flexibility: they can evaluate his readiness over the next three weeks before deciding whether to activate him to the 53-man roster.
Kancey has been sidelined since tearing his pectoral muscle earlier this season, an injury that required surgery and raised questions about whether he’d be able to return in time for a potential playoff run. Now, the timing couldn’t be better for a Bucs squad that’s trying to peak at the right moment. And while it remains to be seen if Kancey will be ready to suit up in the postseason, the fact that he’s back on the practice field is a promising sign.
The long-term outlook is even more reassuring. Pectoral injuries, while tough in the short term, typically don’t carry lingering effects into the following season. So whether he contributes in the playoffs or not, Tampa Bay can feel confident that Kancey will be ready to roll in 2026.
For those who’ve followed Kancey’s journey, this return is another chapter in what’s already been a decorated football career. The 24-year-old made his name at Pitt, where he broke out as a freshman All-American in 2020 and kept climbing from there. By 2022, he was a unanimous first-team All-American and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year - accolades that helped cement his status as one of the most disruptive interior linemen in college football.
The Buccaneers saw enough to make him the No. 19 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year deal worth just over $15.4 million, including more than $8.2 million guaranteed in the form of a signing bonus. The contract also includes a fifth-year option for 2027, giving Tampa Bay some built-in flexibility as they continue to develop their young core.
Kancey’s 2025 season was cut short after just two games, where he recorded one tackle before the injury struck. But make no mistake - his impact goes beyond the stat sheet.
His quickness off the snap and ability to penetrate opposing backfields are what made him such a high pick in the first place. If he can return to form, even in a limited role, the Bucs’ defensive front gets a whole lot more dangerous.
As Tampa Bay gears up for the postseason, all eyes will be on how Kancey progresses during this three-week window. Whether he’s back in uniform this season or simply building toward next year, the Bucs are getting a key piece of their future back in the fold.