Some exciting news happened on Christmas Eve for the Bucs as the team announced that they have opened up the 21-day practice window for defensive tackle Calijah Kancey. The talented defensive tackle tore his pectoral muscle in Week 2 and has been out ever since. Kancey practiced with his teammates on Wednesday.

He was placed on injured reserve on September 17. He started in Weeks 1-2 for Tampa Bay and was injured in the team’s Week 2 win over the Houston Texans. He originally entered the league as a first-round selection (No. 19 overall) by the Buccaneers in the 2023 NFL Draft. In his career, Kancey has started all 28 games he has played, amassing 55 tackles (22 for loss), 29 quarterback hits, 11.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one pass defensed. Since entering the league, Kancey is one of just 11 interior defensive linemen to average over one quarterback hit per game.

The Bucs have two games remaining in the regular season going on the road in Week 17 against the Dolphins and the hosting the Panthers in a rematch in Week 18. Its not guarantee at all by any means that Kancey will play this week, but considering they have to win out and beat Carolina in the finale to win the division, it seems like there’s a push to get him ready for the divisional matchup where its winner take all.

Bucs Have Missed Calijah Kancey

When healthy, Kancey brings traits that few defensive tackles in the league can, whic is an explosive, interior pass rush. His first step is elite, his leverage is difficult to handle, and his ability to penetrate ruins blocking schemes before they can fully develop.

The Bucs’ defensive front has battled admirably, but without Kancey, it has lacked that consistent interior disruptor who can collapse the pocket without relying on blitzes. Opponents focus on Vita Vea, and nobody has been able to step up enough to replace Kancey’s production. Todd Bowles’ defense thrives when pressure comes from unexpected places — and Kancey is tailor-made for that role.

Bucs DT Calijah Kancey – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Even in limited snaps earlier in his career, Kancey showed flashes of being a game-wrecker. Offensive linemen struggle to match his quickness, and quarterbacks feel his presence even when he doesn’t register a sack.

With the season entering its critical stretch, Tampa Bay needs every possible advantage. Opening Kancey’s practice window now gives the coaching staff time to ramp him up at least for a week, while also preparing contingency plans depending on how his body responds.

The Bucs don’t need Kancey to play 60 snaps. They need him to play meaningful snaps. Third downs. Passing situations. High-leverage moments where one pressure can flip a drive — or a game.

Bucs DTs Logan Hall and Calijah Kancey – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR

Tampa Bay has not found a pass rush this season. They are at 35 sacks with two games to go. Since Todd Bowles has been calling defensive plays for the Bucs, beginning in 2019, they’ve reached at least 45 per season. There’s a likely chance that the Bucs don’t even get to 40.

Kancey might not be able to fix that immediately, but if the Bucs find a way to get into the postseason, he’s a big help to a defense that really needs it.