While there will be plenty of time to pick apart the many, many failings of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season in the near future (maybe next week), one thing we can’t say is they ever backed away from a fight.
No one has epitomized that more this year than quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has seemingly played through a myriad of injuries over the second half of the season.
Things likely won’t be any different in Week 18, with the Buccaneers facing a lose-and-go-home or even possibly a win-and-go-home scenario against the visiting Carolina Panthers, who can clinch the NFC South Division with either a win over the Buccaneers or a loss to the Buccaneers and an Atlanta Falcons win over the New Orleans Saints.
“OC Josh Grizzard says Baker Mayfield is ‘ready to roll’ this week,” Buccaneers.com’s Scott Smith wrote on X on Wednesday, December 31. “Mayfield is on the Bucs’ injury report with right shoulder and knee injuries.”
Mayfield won’t be the only one playing through pain if he takes the field as the Buccaneers try to win a fourth consecutive NFC South Division title and make the NFC Playoffs for the sixth consecutive season.
“T Tristan Wirfs, CB Benjamin Morrison and DT Calijah Kancey all practicing today,” Tampa Bay Times NFL reporter Rick Stroud wrote on his official X account. “Kancey has a chance to come off IR.”
Wirfs, a 3-time NFL All-Pro and 5-time Pro Bowler, missed a Week 17 loss to the Miami Dolphins with a toe injury.
Kancey Could Be Biggest Factor in Week 18
Getting a surprise return from Kancey, who was projected to be one of their biggest stars this season but who ended up missing almost the entire season with an injury could be a key to beating the Panthers.
“Big one for the Bucs: Tampa Bay has opened the 21-day window for star DT Calijah Kancey, who is recovering from a torn pec,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on X on December 24. “He remains on IR as he acclimates back to practice.”
surprise return from a player projected to be one of their biggest stars this season but ended up missing almost the entire season with an injury in defensive lineman and former first round pick Calijah Kancey.
“Big one for the Bucs: Tampa Bay has opened the 21-day window for star DT Calijah Kancey, who is recovering from a torn pec,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on X. “He remains on IR as he acclimates back to practice.”
Buccaneers Missing Identity on Defense
The Buccaneers were counting on Kancey to have a breakout season in 2025.
In 2024, Kancey led the Buccaneers with 7.5 sacks despite missing 5 games due to a calf injury, with 6.5 sacks over the final 9 games of the regular season. Kancey missed 3 games during his rookie season with injuries as well.
Back in July, he made a bold claim during an interview with Buccaneers.com’s Brianna Dix as to what he might be able to accomplish with a complete, healthy season.
“I think you would be looking at the (NFL) sack leader,” said Kancey, who had zero sacks in the first 2 games.
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