The Bucs were dealt another blow in the second quarter of their week two matchup against the Houston Texans. After losing right tackle Luke Goedeke, third-year defensive tackle Calijah Kancey was next to leave the game after suffering a pectoral injury. Initially ruled questionable to return, Kancey was downgraded to out for the remainder of the contest.

His injury occurred on a standard pass rush as he took a stab from Texans right tackle Tytus Howard and his left arm went limp.

Here is the Calijah Kancey pec injury: pic.twitter.com/uRUE8jPpgP

— Evan Closky (@ECloskyWTSP) September 16, 2025

Kancey, who was healthy to start a season for the first time in his professional career, had a solid game week one in Atlanta and the Bucs are counting on him to factor heavily into their elevated pass rush this year.

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

But now he is out of the game in the second half. Kancey had been active before getting hurt with a tackle for a loss and another backfield penetration that led to a run for a loss prior to that. In general, he was the team's most effective pass rusher to start the game as well.

In Calijah Kancey's absence, the Bucs will lean on veteran Greg Gaines, Logan Hall and rookie Elijah Roberts to help control Houston's run game and provide some interior pass rush to keep quarterback C.J. Stroud uncomfortable.