The defensive tackle position has progressively gotten worse for the Bucs this week as defensive tackle Calijah Kancey has been downgraded to out. Kancey suffered a calf injury late in the week and was limited in Friday’s practice. On Friday Kancey was listed as questionable on the injury report.

But on Saturday, Kancey was officially ruled out.

That’s not good news as Kancey is the fastest defensive tackle on the field and his speed was going to factor into Todd Bowles’ game plan to stop dual threat rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels when the Washington Commanders come to town on Sunday for the 2024 season opener.

No position has been hit harder this week than defensive tackle in Tampa Bay.

Calijah Kancey Is The Third Bucs DT Ruled Out This Week

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

In addition to Calijah Kancey missing Sunday’s Week 1 game against Washington, the Bucs will also be without reserve defensive tackle Logan Hall, who was ruled out on Friday with a foot injury. Hall missed practice this week, so his absence was not a surprise.

But Kancey’s status has the Bucs scrambling for depth prior to Sunday’s game.

Tampa Bay elevated both defensive tackles C.J. Brewer and Mike Greene from the practice squad on Saturday. The Bucs will likely start veteran Will Gholston next to Vita Vea with Greg Gaines as a veteran reserve in addition to Brewer and Greene.

On Friday the Bucs also put reserve defensive tackle Earnest Brown IV on short-term injured reserve and signed defensive tackle Ben Stille off the Arizona Cardinals practice squad.