Calijah Kancey cannot catch a break over the last two seasons with injuries plaguing him and stopping him from reaching his potential.
Kancey had missed the beginning of the 2024 season due to a calf injury. The result was that he never found his momentum last season, and expectations were high for him this season, as many had projected it to be a breakout season for the former Pittsburgh Panther. Now, he will be forced to look towards the 2026 season with hopes he can be healthy this time next year.
Or does he?
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport has reported that Kancey has a chance to return this season if the team can make a run. They would not just have to make the playoffs, but advance past the first round, as they would then give him enough time to recover from surgery and be back at full strength.
Through one week of being without Kancey, the defense installed a rotation of defenders on the line, and so far, so good. Of course, getting Kancey back for a playoff run would be ideal for them, but this team needs to remain focused on the task at hand week-to-week as they have the Philadelphia Eagles and many other tough challenges on deck.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Calijah Kancey could return for the Bucs in 2025, but there’s a catch with it
Reporting by Andrew Harbaugh, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
