For a moment, it almost felt as if it was deja vu all over again when Bucs defensive tackle Calijah Kancey was sidelined during training camp. Kancey, the Bucs’ first round pick from a season ago had been out for over 10 days with a knee injury and it was not certain if we’d see him at a practice gain until the regular season began.

After the Bucs returned from Jacksonville, Calijah Kancey returned to practice on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday’s practice was a big one for him as he recorded a sack in 11-on-11 drills and also looked good in several one-on-one drills against Tampa Bay offensive linemen.

Calijah Kancey Feels Great

Far and away the biggest test, though, was going up against the Dolphins in the joint training camp practice on Wednesday. It brought a new offense to look at and dissect while competing against players that he hadn’t faced before.

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

“The work against Miami was awesome,” Kancey said. “It was finally fun to go against someone else other than your guys. I feel like we got after it today – both sides of the ball. Really just seeing something different. Those guys are actually moving up front, laterally. Lining up in front of a different helmet, other than our guys, not knowing what to expect.

“The first time going against them, [I was] trying to watch a little film from when we scrimmaged like two years ago, I believe, and their last preseason game. Going against them and getting the physical reps, I think it was awesome.”

Any concern over Kancey’s minor knee injury can officially go out the window. Kancey looked just fine rushing the passer and stuffing the run. One of his strongest suits as a defensive tackle is how quick he is, particularly off the ball, so the fact that he’s moving as well as he was is a good sign for Tampa Bay.

“I feel great, I’m in great shape,” Calijah Kancey said. “My body is healthy. I feel good – I was moving around out there and having fun with the boys.”

Calijah Kancey Finishes His First Real Bucs Training Camp

Though it’s his second year in the NFL and Calijah Kancey is expected to take another big jump after what was really his first training camp. Last year, the former first-round pick injured his calf early on the third day of practice before the Bucs ever went to full pads and he missed the entire preseason. Kancey came back for Week 1 but re-aggravated the injury, which caused him to miss more time until returning in Week 6 against Detroit.

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

So this time around, Kancey for the most part went through the trials and tribulations of what a training camp is like in Tampa. This year’s injury was only minor, but he’s held up well and is performing at a high level too.

“I feel great,” Kancey said. “Being able to knock the rust off and just actually go against your guys…[They] know what you’re going to do, and you know what they’re going to do, but how do you still win? I think that’s what makes it better for me and my teammates – being able to go against someone everyday and get a win or learn from your loss. I think it’s awesome. By the time the season is here, you’re ready for whatever is in front of you and you’re all ready to go.”

Part of the reason why the Bucs defense is going to be successful is because of Kancey and fellow nose tackle Vita Vea, who’s slimmed down this season. Based on what we’ve seen throughout camp, Tampa Bay is primed to be great at stopping the run again while Kancey’s enhanced pass-rushing ability should help improve in that area with more experience that he’s gained by actually participating in training camp this year.