Ko Kieft Heads To Injured Reserve
September 23rd, 2025
Injured.
Even the backups/special teams guys are getting hurt.
Per Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com, reserve tight end Ko Kieft, a key special teams player, is headed to the injured reserve list. with an unspecified leg injury.
Smith did not offer any guesstimated timetable for Kieft’s recovery. Joe does know injured reserve means Kieft will have to sit out a minimum of four games.
Kieft is in his fourth season with the Bucs after being drafted in sixth round out of Minnesota in 2022. Kieft is in a contract year.
With Luke Goedeke and (hopefully) Jalen McMillen expected back from injured reserve later this season, Joe wants to issue a reminder that the NFL limits teams to a maximum of eight players who may be activated after being placed on injured reserve, with an additional two others eligible to be activated during the postseason.
The Bucs currently have seven players on injured reserve and at least three others who are otherwise sidelined with injuries. And the Bucs have yet to play a fourth game this season.
From the video below, courtesy of Evan Closky of WTSP-TV Channel 10, it looks like Kieft suffered a nasty injury.
Ko Kieft was injured a few plays before the blocked field goal.
His reaction says it all.
While not a receiving threat, he's a critical piece on special teams and in the running game. pic.twitter.com/5B0rUvsfAs
— Evan Closky (@ECloskyWTSP) September 23, 2025
September 23rd, 2025 at 4:21 pm
Good grief. Sounds like we’re about to see a master class in IR management.
With all the changes the league has made to injury disclosure and IR management, do we know what the actual requirements are for placing players on IR? From my understanding, they don’t count against the roster limit if they’re on IR vs just listed as out, and their salary prorations also don’t count against the cap if they’re on IR, though obviously they’ll still get paid during that time.
It may make sense to only place the highest salaried players on IR, if only to be able to use that “extra” cap space for free agent additions.
We may see some very strange roster decisions between now and Thanksgiving.
September 23rd, 2025 at 4:30 pm
The amount of injuries on the Bucs as well as across the league seem way above average this year
September 23rd, 2025 at 4:35 pm
Wow!
September 23rd, 2025 at 4:38 pm
Oh no !
I was wondering about him today, unsung hero!
September 23rd, 2025 at 4:58 pm
I love that dude. Been a big fan ever since seeing him take his draft call in his garage with his dad and buddies. He’s a tough SOB. Get well Ko!
September 23rd, 2025 at 5:09 pm
Damn! This guy is a fabulous blocker and will be sorely missed in the run game.
September 23rd, 2025 at 5:15 pm
Great. This is hard to watch. Great team, but these injuries are destroying it.
September 23rd, 2025 at 5:37 pm
Where’s Cade Otton been?
September 23rd, 2025 at 5:43 pm
Is it the shoes?
September 23rd, 2025 at 5:50 pm
An important player when your tackles need help! Hopefully Durham and Culp can fill the gap.
September 23rd, 2025 at 6:01 pm
If that’s the last we see of Kieft, as a 2022 6th round pick he gave the team good value for 3+ seasons. I’d like to see him get re-signed next season. Unless something changes between now and then 2026 promises the Bucs TE room is going to look a lot different.
September 23rd, 2025 at 6:43 pm
Met his family at the Skins Playoff game last year. Awesome folks!! His dad said that Ko would rather make a pancake block for a Bucky or White TD than to score himself. Said he loves the team and the area.
September 23rd, 2025 at 7:26 pm
Ouch.
This is a new wrinkle for our run game and special teams.
I’d like to see Ko return as soon as possible (minimum four games out), but at the same time, this may give us a chance to see what Payne and Devin can really do. Certainly, it’s a chance for them to step up.
AS for the injured reserve limits, we may have to do some “fancy” designating or footwork, given that we’re only 3 games into the season.
September 23rd, 2025 at 7:37 pm
Making an already woeful special teams unit worse. Why is the media asking questions about what the hell is going on with ST?
September 23rd, 2025 at 8:26 pm
Sorry to hear this, and thank you for sharing the video clip. It sure looks like #21 for the Jets intentionally rolled up on the back of Kieft’s left knee. Just as Baltimore’s Smith was fined for an illegal hip drop tackle that ended Chris Godwin’s 2024 campaign, maybe the Jets’ Brandon Stephens should be fined or suspended now.
September 23rd, 2025 at 9:06 pm
He’s a good guy from all reports. But I haven’t seen him make a special teams tackle….and he’s so slow. We can do better, need more athleticism on the field for special teams. With all the WR injuries, having Culp to stretch the field from the TE position is a plus. He takes Ko’s game day active spot, that’s a plus IMO.
September 23rd, 2025 at 10:46 pm
Some of y’all must really not watch the games. Durham HAS BEEN in the blocking role for the past 2.5 years now. Plays way more snaps than Ko. So not sure he is now stepping into the role. Devin will finally be activated and will hopefully help out in the passing game. Hoping Ko recoveries from this injury and is back with the Bucs next year. This year is over.
September 23rd, 2025 at 11:03 pm
“Where’s Cade Otton been?“
Has played 90% of the offense snaps, has had 7 targets for 3 catches and 25 yards. Idk if he’s 100%, but as far as his involvement in our offense that’d be a good question to ask the OC & QB.
September 23rd, 2025 at 11:20 pm
Adult vitamins and hydration, stretching and I V s
Any other teams have 7 on IR ??
September 23rd, 2025 at 11:33 pm
Good grief. There were fewer casualties at the Battle of Gettysburg. I know it’s only after three games but few of these guys injured even saw the field during preseason.
September 23rd, 2025 at 11:53 pm
Want to know why the NFLPA demands limited practices which is getting guys hurt?
This is why, guys go on IR, new players are signed, the NFL gets their cut of Ko’s contract, and the cut of the new guys contract. They’re literally profiting off injuries, thus the demand for limited practices, since it means more injuries.
September 24th, 2025 at 2:13 am
Saw him limping on the sideline. Thought it might be a minor injury but after watching that? Not sure he would be ready in four weeks. Dang that dude is more valuable than most think.
Go Bucs!
September 24th, 2025 at 6:58 am
I’ve always liked Ko. He’s a great blocker and very solid in special teams. He’s not fast at all, so rarely targeted in games, but in practice he rarely drops the ball. Get well soon Ko !!!!
September 24th, 2025 at 7:57 am
Durham!!!!…next man up!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
September 24th, 2025 at 8:56 am
Sighhh…… Man, between the zebs and the walking wounded, the Bucs are lucky to be 3-0. Hats off to Licht, Bowles and their staffs. Go Bucs!!