Kancey Expected To Miss Time With Calf Strain
Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-round rookie Calijah Kancey suffered a calf strain during the team's fourth day of training camp on Wednesday. Kancey was carted off the field after turning a corner on a drill and pulling up. He was later taken in for an MRI.
Kancey was the No. 19 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers. He was a unanimous All-American and ACC Defensive Player of the Year at Pitt last season. He recorded 31 tackles, 14.5 for a loss, and 7.5 sacks in 11 games.
The injury to Kancey is a blow to the Buccaneers' defense. He’s expected to be a major contributor this season. While it’s too early to assume the effect the strain may have on his season going forward, there’s an understandable concern about the cohesiveness of the defensive line with the new additions as well as the new approach turning more to speed rather than size to attack opposing offenses.
Regardless of the timetable, when Kancey gets back on the practice field, he’ll be welcomed back by teammates who have pushed back from injury recently. Players like Godwin and Barrett can give him insight on keeping focused and taking time to get himself right. His linemate, Vita Vea, also knows what it is to push through injury early in his career. Vea lost the first 4 weeks of the 2018 season in his rookie year due to his own calf injury.
Update on Kancey's Injury
As of August 1st, 2023, Kancey is still recovering from his calf strain. He's expected to miss 4 weeks. The Buccaneers are hopeful that he will be able to return to the field for the season opener against the Vikings in Minneapolis. Kancey's injury is a setback, but it is not a season-ending one. The Buccaneers have time to get him healthy before the start of the regular season. If he can return to form, he will be a major addition to the defense.
In the meantime, Defensive Line Coach says Kancey will remain present in all the team meetings to stay up to speed with installs.
“He’s a talented kid. As long as he knows what he’s doing, he can play for us.....
When younger players don’t really know exactly what they’re doing, they tend to play slow. As long as long he knows exactly what he’s doing, his athleticism and the things he do well will show up.”
