Calijah Kancey, Buccaneers’ First-Round Draft Pick, Taken Off Field In A Cart After Suffering Calf Strain
Calijah Kancey, Buccaneers’ First-Round Draft Pick, Taken Off Field In A Cart After Suffering Calf Strain
Calijah Kancey, a first-round draft pick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023, suffered a right leg injury on the field during Sunday morning’s training camp.
Head coach Todd Bowls told reporters after practice that the 22-year-old has a calf strain and would get an MRI to confirm the diagnosis.
Early in practice, while participating in an exercise, video captures Kancey stopping to rest. He made an effort to escape on the other leg, but his calf was caught, and he yelled out in pain.
Kancey, the 19th overall pick in this year’s draft, was praised by teammates and coaches alike during Tampa Bay’s first preseason practice with pads.
As ESPN quotes general manager Jason Licht, “the number of ‘wow’ plays that he had in shorts was more than I was even expecting.” This was in reference to Kancey’s performance during training camp.
That doesn’t always mean he’ll have a breakout season as a rookie in the NFL; I’m not suggesting he’ll start right away and become an All-Pro.
The development of our defense into the kind preferred by defensive coordinator Todd Bowles—an explosive, penetrating front capable of applying pressure both in the middle and on the perimeter—using the talents of players like Devin White and Lavonte David is thrilling to say the least.
Rachaad White, a running back, lauded Kancey, calling him “explosive” and “quick.”
In March, at the combine, Kancey displayed his pace by running a 4.67. Since 2003, when NFL Network began officially tracking combine measures, his time makes him the fastest defensive lineman in combine history. He holds the record for the heaviest person ever, with his 281 pounds.
His performance prompted some to draw parallels between him and another Pittsburgh product, Aaron Donald. Kancey has 91 tackles, 34.5 for a loss, 16 sacks, one forced fumble, and three pass deflections in his tenure at Pitt.
After his senior year of college, he received unanimous All-American honors. He was also named the ACC’s best defensive player.
