There haven't been many positives for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in recent weeks, as the team has gone 1-6 since the bye week.
With two games remaining, Tampa Bay will have to go 2-0 to clinch the NFC South and punch their ticket to the playoffs. But luckily, they could be getting a boost along the way.
Buccaneers designate Calijah Kancey for return from Injured Reserve
Kancey tore his pectoral muscle back in Week 2, and it was expected to be a season-ending injury.
There were high expectations for Kancey entering the season, as he appeared poised for a career year. His injury threw a wrench in the potential breakout season.
But in a much-needed stroke of good news, the Bucs have activated Kancey and opened up his 21-day practice window. He practiced earlier this week on Dec. 24 for the first time since September, which bodes well for his chances to play in a game in the coming weeks.
It remains to be seen if he could return for a potential do-or-die Week 18 matchup against the Carolina Panthers or if his best case scenario is a wild card playoff game, but Kancey being able to return at all is a huge win for the Bucs.
His availability would mean a dominant presence next to Vita Vea on the interior of the Bucs’ defensive line, and would make life easier for everybody involved. Kancey has a case as the team’s best pass rushing interior lineman, and his return would help improve the team’s biggest weakness — their lack of a pass rush.
The Bucs are at their healthiest state they’ve been all season. Bucky Irving finally returned just a few weeks ago. Mike Evans returned after missing a huge chunk of the season, and Jalen McMillan finally made his season debut back in Week 15.
Adding Kancey to the mix is a massive development and would mean if Tampa Bay plays their cards right and finishes the regular season strong, they'll have a chance to enter the postseason at the closest to full strength they’ve been all season. Todd Bowles' reeling defensive unit would be ecstatic to get such an impactful player back at the most crucial point of the season.