Report: Calijah Kancey Out For Season
September 16th, 2025
Awful update.
Horrible news on the Bucs’ injury front.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports that Bucs defensive tackle Calijah Kancey will miss the rest of the 2025 season with the pec injury he suffered last night in the Bucs’ win over the Texans.
Schultz did not offer details. This, in Joe’s mind, is a major blow. Had Kancey stayed healthy, believed Kancey was going to blow up this season. Even prickly Pete Prisco of CBS claimed Kancey was going to become an NFL “superstar” this fall.
He may still be, but Kancey will have to wait until 2026, apparently.
Sources: #Bucs DT Calijah Kancey will miss the rest of the season with a pectoral injury suffered on Monday night vs. the Texans.
The former first-round pick is a huge piece of Tampa’s defense. pic.twitter.com/ITuJeYtDLU
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 16, 2025
September 16th, 2025 at 12:47 pm
He’s not a huge piece of the defense, unfortunately. He’s never really been a part of it for any length of time.
September 16th, 2025 at 12:48 pm
That’s a damn shame. I feel bad for him, but perhaps it’s time to move on? Well, not move on, but assume he’s going to be injured every year and adjust accordingly as the Bucs seem to have done at cornerback?
September 16th, 2025 at 12:50 pm
Sad.
Talented but fragile.
September 16th, 2025 at 12:51 pm
Arghhhhh. Now, will Licht go out of character and trade for or sign someone to help out the D-line? Unlikely.
September 16th, 2025 at 12:51 pm
All right, Roberts. Let’s see what you got!
1/2 sack so far. Give us more!
September 16th, 2025 at 12:54 pm
I love Kancey but I’m starting to get the feeling that about half of our picks (or more) in next year’s draft are going to be players in the defensive front seven.
September 16th, 2025 at 12:54 pm
Make a move, Jason!
September 16th, 2025 at 12:56 pm
It’s a shame that Kancey is having a similar start to his career as Noah Spence, another talented draft pick for Bucs defensive line that was injury plagued from the start of his career. Spence’s was a shoulder so different injury.
Could it be that the Buc’s conditioning and training regiments are not in line with the current physical nature of the positions. When I look at the Bucs lineup they tend to be undersized guys except for Vea. Are they strong enough? Have they developed enough muscle for their position.
They’ve always drafted for quickness but it looks like a guy like Kancey was a little on the weaker side of what a defensive tackle should be and perhaps going against offensive lineman that outweigh him by 50 pounds has been one of the causes of his injuries. Will Ghoston was an iron man.
Would rather have iron men that can play a whole career than players whose bodies cannot take the pounding on the offensive or defensive line.
September 16th, 2025 at 12:56 pm
Glad we won last night, but we have two glaring needs on defense. 1 Kancey is never healthy, so we can rely on him, so drafting a new DT/DL in round 1 isn’t a bad idea. The second point is Dennis is a complete & total liability. Our ILB core, once David retires, terrifies me. I think we will be investing heavily in these positions next season.
3rd quick point is that the pass rush still stinks so far. We should of gotten Parsons. Idc what anyone says 2 1’s for a top-level pass rusher whose 26 is frankly cheap.
September 16th, 2025 at 12:57 pm
Gaines came in and played great. Better than Kancey anyway. I hate to say it but I think Kancey has been overhyped since the start. If you can’t stay healthy you’re no help to anyone. It sucks and I wish him a speedy recovery but the dudes behind him are hungry and ready to roll.
September 16th, 2025 at 12:58 pm
Damn. Had super high hopes for Calijah this season. Had super high hopes for our 4 man rush.
I do have confidence in Elijah Roberts. I think he can get some interior pressure with some more work these next few weeks.
D will be fine… need the OL healthy and back to their proper set up. Once that happens, be a lot less pressure on the D.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:00 pm
Damn. Had high hopes for Calijah and our 4 man rush this season.
Let’s go Roberts! Show us what you got.
D will be fine, need the OL healthy asap. Get that proper OL setup back and the offense will take care of business.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:00 pm
Timbucs2 Says:
Arghhhhh. Now, will Licht go out of character and trade for or sign someone to help out the D-line? Unlikely.
——————————————————————————-
I guarantee Licht has his staff already looking to acquire help on the D-line, to add depth if nothing else.
That requires a willing trading partner though, and I doubt there is a team out there willing to trade a player of Kancey’s quality right now unless they’re hoping for a Top-5 draft pick next season.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:00 pm
Terrible news !! Calijah was giving his all last night !! So much so he tore a pectoral muscle because of his tremendous effort !! How can we replace him ? Who’s the next man up !!
The Bucs defense played a heck of a game last night thanks to our Defensive Guru Todd Bowles !!
Go Bucs !!
September 16th, 2025 at 1:01 pm
Next man up
September 16th, 2025 at 1:01 pm
This sucks.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:02 pm
The one we can’t lose is Vita.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:03 pm
Ouch. That hurts our defense considerably. Hall will get more snaps now and its time for Gaines and Roberts to step up as they both somewhat did last night….
It will be interesting to see whether or not the Bucs designate Kancey for his 5th year option – which they will be required to declare next offseason. I’m guessing no at this point….
September 16th, 2025 at 1:03 pm
Gaines and Roberts will have to step up…..
We have who we have at this point IMO….
What’s up with EE2?
GO BUCS
September 16th, 2025 at 1:05 pm
And Tiny Dancer is down. Time to move on from him. Can’t rely on him. Just too snake bit.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:08 pm
Damn CK94 can’t catch a break with injuries.
Some players just have bad luck on their careers…
Heal up sir, and we’ll see you next offseason.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:10 pm
William Gholston could be back. Move Roberts inside.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:11 pm
Damned. Not great news here. But it’s next man up. Hopefully, Licht can bust a move and create some magic.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:13 pm
Dpnt think anyone feels as bad about this than he does. Wish him the best. Now what? 🙁
September 16th, 2025 at 1:14 pm
I’m in no way being crass, but we didn’t lose Joe Burrow. We lost an undersized injury prone DT that doesn’t fit the scheme and has disappeared more often than not even while on the field.
Kancey was never going to be as impactful to winning the Super Bowl as our starting five offensive lineman.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:16 pm
Greg Gaines, Logan Hall, and Elijah Roberts come on down
September 16th, 2025 at 1:16 pm
Trading for Trey Hendrickson would be WISE.
He is a FA next year and they won’t get squat for him.
Now that Burrow is out their season is over.
If we make a similar move this team can still win it all this year and next.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:17 pm
If he comes back next season he will get hurt again. Hope they cut their loss as soon as they can.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:21 pm
“Can’t miss, what You never had”… He’s always hurt! Let’s Go Bucs!!!!
September 16th, 2025 at 1:22 pm
So many games already with him out so not a huge part of the defense unfortunately.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:24 pm
I know Kancey is a DT and Braswell is an EDGE… But the time is now, more than ever, for Braswell to shock the world… So, we’ll seeeee.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:27 pm
Can we bring in Suh? LOL. Seriously, that guy could at least set a tone and plug the run. He may not be the pass rusher he once was, but your best ability is your availability.
Kancey is Mr. Glass. Talent that can’t sustain even half a season is not a huge part of the defense. We’ll be fine with our rotation.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:29 pm
next draft….DT, ILB, DT, ILB, RT, K
September 16th, 2025 at 1:34 pm
Call up the Titans and go get Simmons if possible, Titans are in full rebuild mode.
See if they would be willing to move him, or Campbell a vet from Cards (doubt they move him) or Swing for Hendrickson (Bengals Season could be on the brink here) the Bengals won’t pay him next year have all money tied-up into WR and will need to overhaul OL.
Simmons, Campbell, Chubb, Hendrickson. It will never happen but can always hope.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:34 pm
Ouch
September 16th, 2025 at 1:40 pm
Hes one of those guys. Nothing but potential – Never the real deal. Coulda….shoulda …. woulda …. IF. By the end of this season he will have missed half of the games he should have played in. HALF. His new name should be “China Doll” Kancey. Regardless, he never really did anything when he was in the game. His PFF grade is in the low 40’s. If it weren’t for the fact that he has been next to Vita it would be worse.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:41 pm
Go get Hendrickson, rent a player for a year and give up a draft choice. If he works out and likes the environment he will take less to come to back home to Florida. It is senseless that they think they can develop talent at this position. The window for winning is now, not 3 years from now.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:45 pm
Calijah “Kancey” the field unfortunately. A shame. Better luck next year I guess, but definitely have to plan for life without him.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:46 pm
Pec injuries were never part of football anywhere until teams went nuts on weight lifting. Here is the best way to build muscle and strength—-swim laps in a pool. Injuries will disappear and strength will go way up.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:50 pm
This blows.
Wish we could turn all injuries OFF for the entire league.
Can’t afford any more injuries to the front seven or this D will be in serious trouble.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:51 pm
The Bucs may have to wait a few weeks, but the Bucs do need to attempt at trading with a team that will let a DL and or Edge rusher go. Jason is great with drafting, but this is a Bucs team that can win a Super Bowl this year.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:53 pm
Gipper have to disagree hard on that one. Swimming is fantastic for all around fitness, but nobody is mistaking Michael Phelps for an NFL player. He would have gotten destroyed if he tried to play. These guys are freaks. If you are suggesting working some swimming into their regimen? Sure
September 16th, 2025 at 1:56 pm
meh kancey was mid… we’ve won without him a lot… he played five qts and had zero sacks against back ups. serviceable but not great not as big a loss as everyone is painting it
September 16th, 2025 at 2:00 pm
Elijah Roberts will man up
September 16th, 2025 at 2:00 pm
As a plAyer, your best ability is a avail-ablity.
Bill Parcells
September 16th, 2025 at 2:03 pm
Hate to say it. He’s a bust.
September 16th, 2025 at 2:05 pm
Feel bad for Kancey but he’s been injured so much, I am just not familiar with him. Not familiar? He led the team in sacks last year.–Joe We’ve got several young headhunters developing in that secondary, like Izien. Bowles will figure out to compensate as this is nothing new. I do feel for the young man (Kancey).
September 16th, 2025 at 2:05 pm
I bet Dallas would have taken Kancey and two #1s for Parsons and we would have hung the phone up mid call. Hindsight is always 20/20!
We know Jason Licht will always pay attention to the line, but watching Edgerrin Cooper and Jihaad Campbell play well while SirVocea Dennis continues to figure it out makes me really hope LB is very high on their scouting minds.
PS- Tykee Smith for next under appreciated Bucs stud? I say yes!
September 16th, 2025 at 2:07 pm
With Clowney signing with Dallas, who is available in FA on the DL that can step in and make an impact?
Kancey was supposed to have a big season, it’s unfortunate that he’s hurt again. Starting to give me Brian Price vibes from a while back. That guy was outplaying McCoy in their rookie season training camp, but just never could stay healthy and retirement came early.
September 16th, 2025 at 2:07 pm
Can’t wait for the guys blaming this on the S&C staff to offer what exactly those guys should change. (They probably can’t, and probably can’t give you a general 45 min workout routine either).
September 16th, 2025 at 2:09 pm
Crushing loss for this defense. We have two dogs on the front – Vea and Kancey. Now we have one. Just brutal. Gonna have to manufacture pressure with blitzes once again this season, stressing the secondary. Its a Bucs life. But hey, we are 2-0. On to the Jets.
September 16th, 2025 at 2:18 pm
The way he’s going Kancey will not be getting a 2nd contract when his rookie deal expires.
September 16th, 2025 at 2:19 pm
Instead of drafting high character players only, can we try a draft of all durable players?
September 16th, 2025 at 2:23 pm
I agree with the first comment
September 16th, 2025 at 2:27 pm
Cut down. He spent more time injured compared to playing time.
September 16th, 2025 at 2:31 pm
Kancey was the most overrated and overhyped draft pick which turned to be a colossal waste of a pick. Sad but true.
September 16th, 2025 at 2:57 pm
Gipper, you know that guy Hunter who had two sacks against us last night? Built his physique in the pool. Just kidding, built it in the weight room obviously. Just like 99.9% of all NFL players in the 21st century. Swimming is great for rehab and general fitness for average people.
September 16th, 2025 at 3:32 pm
2010 Season:
McCoy’s rookie season was cut short by a season-ending biceps injury.
2011 Season:
After sitting out a couple of games with an ankle injury, McCoy suffered another torn biceps, this time in his right arm, which resulted in another season-ending injured reserve placement.
Impact of Injuries:
The injuries led to concerns that McCoy might be injury-prone.
However, McCoy bounced back in his subsequent seasons, particularly in 2012, when he earned his first Pro Bowl and remained un-marred by injury. He went on to have a successful career with the Buccaneers.
September 16th, 2025 at 3:39 pm
Some may remember the day we drafted Kancey. I said he was too small to play Defensive line in the NFl. Said he would always be hurt.
5’11”, 280lbs. Never gonna happen.
JTS, Logan Hall, Kancey.
Thats alot of wasted high draft picks.
And not one decent Dlinemen out out of the bunch.
September 16th, 2025 at 3:51 pm
I hope he gets well. I hope he comes back in 2026, just somewhere else. But, I think the best thing is to package him for some picks and move on.
Some guys just are snakebit when it comes to injuries. Dean, for example.
September 16th, 2025 at 4:12 pm
Wasn’t he injured last year also. Looks like Injury prone and probably a bust of a draft selection.
September 16th, 2025 at 4:25 pm
I had high hopes for Kancey but he always plays hurt or gets hurt. I really like Roberts, he’s tough, and Gaines showed up last night.
September 16th, 2025 at 4:26 pm
Guess we gonna have to bring the blitz more often than not. Bowles needs to get nasty.
September 16th, 2025 at 4:45 pm
Damn. He looks like he should have 10+ sacks a year for seven years, but if he can’t stay healthy… Games are won in the trenches and right now the Bucs are getting decimated by injuries in the trenches.
Should still beat the Jets