January 22 Updates
The Buccaneers drafted Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka in the first round last April, and by the end of September it was clear they had a future NFL star on their hands. Egbuka was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month after a four-game September in which he snared 18 receptions for 282 yards and four touchdowns, as he joined Ja'Marr Chase, Calvin Ridley and Roy Williams as the only players to record 15-plus receptions, 250-plus receiving yards and at least four touchdowns through four career games.
Now Egbuka has a chance to expand that honor to NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. On Thursday, the NFL revealed the finalists for four major Associated Press awards for the 2025 season, and Egbuka is one of five finalists for the OROTY accolade. The winner will be announced at the NFL Honors show on the evening of Thursday, February 5.
Also nominated for Offensive Rookie of the Year are New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough.
Egbuka could become the third Buccaneer player ever to win AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, following running back Warrick Dunn in 1997 and running back Cadillac Williams in 2005. Egbuka finished his debut campaign with 63 receptions for 938 yards and six touchdowns. He ranked seventh among all qualifying receivers, not just rookies, with his average of 14.89 yards per catch.
CLICK HERE for a look at the state of the Bucs' wide receiver position at the conclusion of the 2025 season.
January 1 Updates
When Buccaneers defensive lineman Calijah Kancey tore a pectoral muscle in Week Two, it was generally assumed that his 2025 season was over. Now it appears Kancey will have a chance to put an alternative coda on his third NFL season.
Kancey was placed on injured reserve in Week Three and has remained there since. However, he returned to practice last week, opening a 21-day window in which the team would have the option to activate him to the 53-man roster. Kancey was not activated last week, but the team may choose to do so this week ahead of their must-win Week 18 game against Carolina on Saturday.
"He's questionable," said Head Coach Todd Bowles on Thursday, referring to Kancey's designation on the final injury report of the week. "He can play…he's definitely in play. Obviously, we'd have to make some moves to make that happen, so we've got our work cut out for us. But he had a good week."
Kancey has generally been listed as limited in the practices in which he has participated the past two weeks, but the work he has put in has been quite encouraging, according to his head coach.
"He had a very good two weeks, he did," said Bowles.
Bowles did agree that Kancey would be on something of a "pitch count" in terms of the number of snaps he would get on Saturday if he is cleared to play. Bowles also pointed out that the Buccaneers would have to make a corresponding move to a Kancey activation, waiving another player from the 53-man roster in order to make room for his return.
CLICK HERE for a detailed preview of Saturday's game against the Panthers, which includes an injury report that will be updated on Thursday afternoon to include game-status designations.
