Bucs Gameday

Tampa Bay Buccaneers First Round Pick Returns to Practice

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got a boost at Thursday's practice with the return of their 2023 first round pick.

JC Allen

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It's game week and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are gearing up for their Week 1 opponent the Minnesota Vikings. In preparations for their season opener, the Bucs had every player at practice on Thursday, including their first-round draft choice defensive tackle Calijah Kancey.

Kancey missed nearly all of training camp after suffering a calf strain. The injury sidelined him for all three preseason contests and the first two practices this week. Kancey, who was in full pads, appears like he will be ready to play on Sunday barring any setbacks.

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The Buccaneers organization is excited to pair the first-round rookie with Pro Bowl defensive tackle Vita Vea. The hope is the two can work in tandem to collapse the pocket and push quarterbacks to the arms of the teams pass rushers.

General manager Jason Licht spoke on his excitement to see Kancey on the field recently but stressed they didn't want to put him out on the field before he was ready to return. 

“Extremely excited," Licht said. "He is trending in the right direction still. We still want to make sure we don’t put a player out there, especially with that kind of skill set and with that type of injury, too early. He is trending the right way. [I’m] very, very excited.” 

The fact that Kancey has returned to practice and in full pads is a good sign for Tampa Bay's defense. If he can string together practices on Thursday and Friday, he'll be scheduled to make his debut for the Buccaneers in their Week 1 tilt against the Vikings.

READ MORE: Former Buccaneers Quarterback Tom Brady Hints at Return To NFL

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JC Allen
JC ALLEN

JC Allen has been covering the Bucs since 2020. He is credentialed reporter and writer for Sports Illustrated’s Bucs Gameday and is the VP of the PFWA Tampa Chapter. A transplant to the area, he offers unparalleled views and insights on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.