The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense was dealt a huge blow recently when it was revealed that defensive tackle Calijah Kancey had suffered a serious injury.
Kancey suffered a torn pectoral muscle in the Week 2 win over the Houston Texans last Monday, which was confirmed by MRI on Tuesday. Kancey then had surgery to repair the issue on Friday and the expectation is he misses the rest of the season.
However, there is at least a glimmer of hope that we'll see Kancey again, but not until the postseason.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Kancey has a chance to return in 2025 if the Buccaneers make the playoffs, but Rapoport adds that Tampa Bay will have to make it past the first round in order to give him a chance.
"Bucs standout DT Calijah Kancey, who tore his pec last week and had surgery this week, does have a chance to return to the team this season, sources say. If the team makes the playoffs and advances past the first round, Kancey could be back on the field," Rapoport reported.
The Bucs have made the playoffs in each of the past five seasons and have won a playoff game in three of those trips, so it's definitely possible for Tampa Bay to do what it needs to get its key defender back in the postseason.
Why it matters
A former first-round pick, Kancey has developed into quite a difference-maker upfront for the Buccaneers.
Kancey cemented himself as one of the better pass-rushing interior defenders in the NFL last season after tallying eight sacks, which ranked seventh among interior defensive lineman in 2024, according to Pro Football Focus.
Even head coach Todd Bowles has admitted replacing Kancey will be difficult, if not impossible.
"Everybody has to step up," Bowles after of Kancey's injury. "We can't replicate what Kancey can do for us and some of them have to play the run and some of them have to be ready for the pass. Everybody has to do their job."
Getting Kancey back in the playoffs would provide a big boost for the Buccaneers' defense, although it would be fair to wonder how much he'd be able to offer in his first game back after such a lengthy absence.
MORE NFL NEWS
- Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens combine for $55K worth of fines
- Pittsburgh Steelers roster move spells big trouble for Kaleb Johnson
- Marcus Davenport injury update from Dan Campbell is good news for Lions
- ESPN insider: Two Miami Dolphins starters could get traded at deadline
- New York Giants could trade these two starters, per ESPN insider
- ESPN insider: Raiders could unload $33 million playmaker at trade deadline