Potential Return of Calijah Kancey
The Buccaneers opened the 21-day practice window for Calijah Kancey last week and the defensive tackle is revving up his workload in Week 18 as the team prepares for the Panthers. Kancey was originally placed on injured reserve on September 17 after he suffered a torn pectoral muscle in the Bucs' Week Two win over the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football.
Kancey, the Bucs' first-round pick in the 2023 draft, possesses an elite first step, outstanding contact balance and top-end closing burst. Kancey has totaled 11.5 sacks and 29 quarterback hits in 28 career games for the Buccaneers. In 2024, he posted 7.5 sacks in 12 games, along with 28 tackles, 17 quarterback hits, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
"He did more today and we will continue to monitor his progress as well," said Head Coach Todd Bowles following Tuesday's walk-through.
If Kancey is able to suit up against Carolina, he would add much needed reinforcement to the club's defensive line.
Rachaad White Offensive Influence
Rachaad White has tallied 549 yards and four touchdowns in 2025 but has made an impact beyond the stat sheet, whether through blitz pickups that provided more time for Baker Mayfield to release the ball, or dirty runs between the tackles in short-yardage situations. Since 2023, White is No. 3 in receiving touchdowns (nine), No. 5 in yards after catch (1,432) and No. 7 in receiving yards (1,142) among running backs. He has outstanding balance when jump-cutting, is patient with his tempo and can adjust to haul in catches. White has delivered in critical moments for the Bucs and has helped create a bridge between the run and pass.
"I thought he has played well and definitely having the adjustments on when Buck [Bucky Irving] was out and when he came back in, the carries-up the carries-down, but the way that he has conducted himself and staying even keeled and taking opportunities when he gets it and what he is able to do for us in pass protection - I have said it ad nauseum in here, I think he is as good as anyone in this league on third down," said Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard. "The time that he puts into that with blitz pickups that you might not even see, but he picked up this pressure that we talked about out there today and then Baker is able to rip a strike on third down. He is truly a three-down back and has really done a good job."
Playoff Picture
Despite falling to 7-9 on the 2025 season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can still lock up a fifth-straight NFC South crown and a sixth-consecutive playoff berth in Week 18. With the Carolina Panthers losing to Seattle on Sunday in Week 17 and falling to 8-8, the title is up for grabs on Saturday afternoon at Raymond James Stadium. If the Buccaneers win on Saturday, the club will also need the Falcons to lose to the Saints in order to punch their ticket to the postseason.
"I think we have to take care of us," described Tristan Wirfs. "'Do your job.' That is all we can control. We can't control the outcome of the Saints-Falcons game, but we can control how we come out with good effort and good attitude and trying to execute at the highest level. That has been a big thing that Coach Bowles has said, 'We have not been executing.' We can put that on our shoulders and go execute the hell out of the game. We will look up at the end of Saturday hopefully victorious and then we will all be watching Sunday."
