The Bucs need all the help they can get as they head into their Week 18 tilt against the Carolina Panthers. That help has to come externally in the form of a Saints win over the Falcons. But they also need to help themselves with better play on the field. That second part is on the way. Just before 4pm today, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Bucs were going to activate defensive lineman Calijah Kancey from Injured Reserve and play him on Saturday.

#Bucs star DT Calijah Kancey, recovering from a torn pec, will be activated to play in Saturday’s huge game against the #Panthers, sources say. A big lift from one of the team’s better players. pic.twitter.com/vgFxI0G6KT

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 2, 2026

Just minutes later the team confirmed the report through team reporter Scott Smith. Head coach Todd Bowles had said on Thursday that Kancey could be in play for week 18.

Bucs Pass Rush Healthiest Since September

Kancey has not played since suffering a torn pectoral muscle in week two against the Texans. He has flashed incredible promise over his three seasons in Tampa Bay but has not been able to ascend to the upper echelons of interior pass rushers in the NFL due to a myriad of injuries. He has only been able to play in 28 of 50 possible regular season games since entering the league in 2023.

When he’s been on the field, Kancey has been a difference maker. He has a pressure rate north of 10%. Not many defensive tackles can maintain that level of pressure. He returns to a defensive front that also missed outside linebacker Haason Reddick for a month. With both back and active the Bucs will have their ideal pass rush on the field for just the third time all season.

Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby and DT Calijah Kancey and Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Since 2022, the Bucs have allowed 2.14 less points per game, registered 0.21 sacks per game more, and have allowed 0.017 EPA/play less (positive for a defense) in games he has played than when he has not per Sumer Sports.

The team will also be employing the services of practice squad player and Super Bowl LVII champion Jason Pierre-Paul. Pierre-Paul is being activated from the practice squad for the third and final time of the season. After playing 12 snaps in week 16, he played 16 snaps last week. He has not recorded a pressure on any of his 15 pass rushes. He has been a part of Tampa Bay’s second wave defensive front along with Chris Braswell.

Bucs Waive Rookie Linebacker

To make room for Kancey on the 53-man roster, Tampa Bay waived undrafted free agent linebacker John Bullock. Bullock played collegiately at Nebraska. He’s logged six defensive snaps this year but has been a core special teamer throughout the year. Bullock’s most notable play this year came in week 15 in Carolina.

Bucs ILB John Bullock – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Late in the game he drew an unnecessary roughness penalty just before the Bucs’ final offensive drive of the game. The mistake cost Tampa Bay 10 yards of field position, forcing them to start at their own 10 instead of their own 20-yard line. The team made Bullock inactive last week and have now waived him altogether. There is a good chance that if he clears waivers the team will re-sign him to the practice squad.

Kancey has one tackle in two games this season. Pierre-Paul has yet to record any stats in his two games played. Bullock has 10 tackles over 15 games this year.