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.
