Buccaneers' Calijah Kancey: Misses first practice of week
Rotowire
Kancey (calf) did not participate at practice Thursday.
Kancey has not played since reaggravating a strained right calf in Week 1, and he's not off to a great start ahead of Monday's game versus the Eagles. He'll probably need to practice in some capacity Friday or Saturday in order to have a chance at suiting up in Week 3.
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Buccaneers' Calijah Kancey: Won't play vs. Bears
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Kancey (calf) is listed as out for Sunday's game versus Chicago, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
After not being able to practice at all this week, Kancey will have to sit out of Tampa Bay's matchup versus the Bears in Week 2. In his stead, undrafted rookie Mike Greene could be in line to pick up an increased workload.
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Buccaneers' Calijah Kancey: Considered day-to-day
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Kancey (calf) is day-to-day after aggravating his calf injury in the season opener against the Vikings, JC Allen of Bucs Gameday reports.
Kancey didn't play in the second half of the win over Minnesota, but an MRI revealed no further damage to his calf. The rookie first-round pick's practice participation, or lack thereof, ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears should provide insight on how likely Kancey is to take the field against Chicago.
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Buccaneers' Calijah Kancey: Back practicing in limited fashion
Rotowire
Kancey (calf) was a limited participant at practice Thursday ahead of Sunday's game at Minnesota.
It's a step in the right direction for Kancey after he missed practice Monday and Wednesday. However, it's still not clear whether he'll be able to suit up for Tampa Bay's matchup in Week 1, and if he doesn't, it could mean more opportunities for undrafted rookie Mike Greene.
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Buccaneers' Calijah Kancey: Misses practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Kancey (calf) did not practice with the Buccaneers on Wednesday.
Kancey is still recovering from the right calf strain he suffered in late July and he has yet to practice this week ahead of Week 1. The defensive tackle will have two more days to prove his health prior to Tampa Bay's matchup with Minnesota on Sunday.
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Buccaneers' Calijah Kancey: Not practicing Monday
Rotowire
Kancey (calf) did not practice Monday and his status is uncertain for Sunday's regular-season opener against the Vikings, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.
Kancey is working to be ready for Week 1, but his chances of suiting up may not become clear until Thursday or Friday. The rookie first-round pick is nursing a right calf strain sustained in late July. If he is able to suit up Sunday in Minnesota, the Buccaneers could well opt to put Kancey on a snap count.
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Buccaneers' Calijah Kancey: Hopeful for Week 1
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Head coach Todd Bowles noted Sunday that he's "hopeful" that Kancey (calf) will progress and be ready for the Bucs' season opener against the Vikings on Sept. 10, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Kancey has missed most of training camp since straining his calf on July 30 and sat out of all three preseason games. He did shed his calf brace Saturday but has yet to be cleared to return. Kancey impressed early in camp with his quickness and pass-rush moves and should assume a pivotal role on the defensive front once he's fully healthy.
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Buccaneers' Calijah Kancey: Undergoes MRI
Rotowire
Kancey underwent an MRI for his injured calf Monday, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Kancey was carted off the field during Tampa Bay's practice Sunday but MRI results showed that the injury was not serious. The Buccaneers will still likely hold the rookie first-round pick out of practice for the time being to ensure he's healthy for the start of the regular season.
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Buccaneers' Calijah Kancey: Carted off field
Rotowire
Kancey (calf) left practice Sunday on a cart, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.
Kancey pulled his right leg up after doing a drill and was taken out of practice shortly after. Laine noted that it looked to be a calf injury and the cart could just be a precautionary measure given the hot weather. Kancey was taken by the Buccaneers with the 19th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft after recording 31 tackles and 7.5 sacks in his final season at Pittsburgh.
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Buccaneers' Calijah Kancey: Impresses during spring work
Rotowire
Kancey, the Buccaneers' rookie first-round pick, impressed during non-padded spring work with his quickness off the ball and holistic grasp of the team's schemes, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports. "He's not just a lineman trying to line up and do things, he's trying to understand everything on the defensive line and the offensive line, so he knows how to play," head coach Todd Bowles said. "I'm very impressed with that."
Kancey finished his college career at Pittsburgh with 34.5 tackles for loss, including 16 sacks, underscoring his ability to disrupt backfields at a svelte-for-a-defensive-tackle 280 pounds. Laine notes the rookie 19th overall pick is seen as an ideal three-technique tackle complement to the mammoth Vita Vea along the interior of the Buccaneers' defensive line, and his stellar production despite his smallish frame has already drawn comparisons to Aaron Donald and franchise legend Warren Sapp, per Laine.
