Bucs Starter’s Game Status Causes Big Concern

The Bucs were already going to be down a couple of players along the defensive line heading into Week 1, but apparently the hits keep coming in a bad way. As the injury report came about for the Bucs, second year starting defensive tackle Calijah Kancey was put on the list with a calf injury and his status for Sunday is questionable.

Kancey was not on the injury at all during the week when it came out on Wednesday and Thursday. He was also seen at practice on Friday and was at least listed as a limited participant. However, the fact that it’s a calf injury makes it feel like some deja vu from a season ago.

Bucs Defensive Line Potentially Takes Yet Another Big Hit

Last year as a rookie, Kancey suffered a calf injury on one of the first days of training camp, forcing him to miss all of the preseason. Kancey came back briefly for Week 1 against the Vikings, be aggravated the injury early and missed the next three games.

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

This year, Kancey got a lot more playing time in training camp, but did miss some time with a knee injury. This was not a major concern and he was expected to be ready to go for Week 1 against the Commanders. Kancey is poised for a big season in year two of his career after a full training camp and further chemistry with Vita Vea lining up next to him.

It’s a big issue for the Bucs on several fronts. For starters, Kancey is one of the best defensive linemen on the team and the group was built around him and Vea. With Logan Hall already ruled out, that means potentially two starters are in jeopardy of missing the game if Kancey can’t go. The other concern is the depth at defensive line espeically afyter backup defensive tackle went on injured reserve.

That leaves Vea, Will Gholston, Greg Gaines and Ben Stille in the group. Stille just showed up to Tampa on Friday and has a lot of catching up to do with the playbook. This all but guarantees that the Bucs elevate either C.J. Brewer, Mike Greene or potentially both players given the circumstance. It’ll be a hot afternoon on Sunday as the Bucs try to chase down rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, so the rotation of all the defensive linemen will be very important.

Bucs WR Trey Palmer – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Another Bucs Player Questionable

Calijah Kancey wasn’t the only Bucs player listed as questionable on Friday. Wide receiver Trey Palmer also had the questionable label on the injury report as he is dealing with a concussion. Palmer wore a non-contact jersey during Monday’s bonus practice but upgraded to wearing a regular jersey for the rest of the week.

The good news is that Palmer practiced in full and was seen catching punts. He is expected to be the starting punt returner for the Bucs with Kameron Johnson and Jalen McMillan backing him up.

Bucs Injury Report – Friday

DT Logan Hall – foot – did not participate – out
DT Calijah Kancey – calf – limited – questionable
WR Trey Palmer – concussion – full participant – questionable
LB Lavonte Davis – rest – limited
OLB Yaya Diaby – ankle – full participant
ILB SirVocea Dennis – shoulder – full participant
WR Mike Evans – rest – limited
CB Tyrek Funderburk – foot – full participant
CB Josh Hayes – hip – full participant
K Chase McLaughlin – abdomen/illness – full participant
S Kaevon Merriweather – knee – full participant
ILB J.J. Russell – ribs – full participant
OT Justin Skule – abdomen – full participant
OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka – shoulder – full participant
S Jordan Whitehead – quadriceps – full participant

Commanders Injury Report – Friday

QB Marcus Mariota – chest – did not participate – out
DT Jer’Zhan Newton – foot – limited – doubtful
OT Brandon Coleman – shoulder – full participant
DE Clelin Ferrell – knee – full participant
DE Dante Fowler – knee – full participant
DT Daron Payne – back – full participant
OT Trent Scott – knee – full participant