Calijah Kancey Is Calf-Concscious
July 23rd, 2025
Talks calves.
The first day of 2025 Buccaneers training camp is in the books and stud defensive tackle Calijah Kancey emerged healthy.
Joe’s being a wiseass, but it’s camp when Kancey has had significant calf issues through his first two seasons.
Joe asked Kacney what he’s done extra, if anything, to make sure Year 3 is not another calf-marred season for him. Kancey missed five regular season games last year.
“I pretty much did the same training but just emphasized the calves more, more recovery and just more treatment toward the calves,” Kancey said. “Just kind of built a routine over the time being off, so when the time comes I’m ready to go.
“I don’t think it was bad luck. I just think things happen and it’s how you respond. You know, with it happening twice [in 2023 and 2024] I’m pretty sure, knock on wood, that should be it now that both [calves] popped. I just ready to play football and show what I can do in 17 games.”
Kancey said he didn’t seek non-Bucs medical advice and is very confident in how he finished last season and entered today’s camp.
One thing Kancey didn’t do this offseason as he’s done in past summers, he didn’t work out on South Florida beaches with former offensive lineman Brian Baldinger, the NFL Network analyst. Kancey said they just couldn’t match up busy schedules but will do it again next year.
July 23rd, 2025 at 11:19 am
Ahhh – that’s it. Has anyone ever ran or worked out in sand? It is grueling, especially on the calves. It’s excellent training, but maybe sand is too much training, resulting in micro tears?
Now that we know CK did not work out in the sand this year, he’ll be just fine.
(Slight sarcasm).
July 23rd, 2025 at 11:28 am
“Stud”? Not yet (not close). Stay on the field and make more than 1 or 2 plays a game and then we’ll talk.
July 23rd, 2025 at 11:36 am
Kancey is a Stud an will have Double digit sacks this year LFG
July 23rd, 2025 at 11:46 am
D-Rok, I agree. I have nothing to back it up but if Kancey was working out in the sand a bunch, seems reasonable that could have helped lead to the calf strains.
Now, doesn’t seem like Kancey said he didn’t work out on the beach, just not with Baldy this year.
Anyway, we need this guy week 1. Ryan Neuzil (ATL starting C with no one pushing him) has 12 career starts. As far as I know, ATL doesn’t have anyone on their DL to prepare him for a healthy Vita and Calijah. Lindstrom is gonna need to have a game!
July 23rd, 2025 at 12:02 pm
It seems like now the biggest ” Headliner” in Training Camp, is who can stay healthy. That’s how bad the injuries are with these Bucs players….
July 23rd, 2025 at 12:29 pm
I sustained a Grade 3 calf tear on the pickleball court last July. Heard it “pop” and felt it immediately. I would wish this injury on no one. No way Kancey’s tears were Grade 3 or he would never have been back as quickly as he was.
Before I perform any exercise outside of walking or swimming, I work really hard on stretching the bad calf especially, but both calves. As long as he really stretches well while he warms up, he should be fine. I’m sure he doesn’t want a 3rd calf injury in as many seasons.
July 23rd, 2025 at 12:45 pm
A lot of players have lingering hamstring injuries but rarely do I hear of lingering calf injuries. Hope they are fully healed now.
July 23rd, 2025 at 1:10 pm
That sand workout does explain a lot, I’ve had bigger calves and running in the sand is the first place I’ve felt it. Along with hydration it crucial, dehydration starts before you know it and by the time you catch up you’re too late.
July 23rd, 2025 at 1:12 pm
Hamstring? 😁
July 23rd, 2025 at 4:04 pm
D-Rok, he didn’t say he did not work out on the beach. He said he didn’t work out with Baldy.
July 23rd, 2025 at 7:00 pm
It comes down to a Strong Training Staff and Coaching staff making players ( and all players) like Evans and Kancey do extra stretching Every Day !! Like there are actually stretch facilities now. They must also be super strict on fluid intake ……. Like every player drinks 16 oz before practice and Trainer have the green light for I V s . These guys are so muscled up in today’s sports it’s really hard to keep the muscle mass properly hydrated . Fluid/ Water is the muscles lube and these teams and trainers just don’t take fluids and stretching serious enough . That goes hand and hand with properly warming up / fighters that don’t properly warm up just can’t operate properly and nor can other athletes……… These teams and trainers mouths move and say the right things but you watch these guys stretch and warm up and it’s still half ass and the trainer is anything but in charge !! Just Sayin !! And I ll say it Again !!
July 23rd, 2025 at 7:06 pm
A lot of talk about hammys in here. That’s where my head went. I hope he’s working his hamstrings along with his calves; otherwise, CK could end up pulling a hamstring because his calves overdeveloped.
July 23rd, 2025 at 9:07 pm
Let’s wait and see if he plays 17 games.