The Tampa Bay Buccaneers dominant run defense is getting another huge body in the middle in the wake of Calijah Kancey’s pectoral injury.
The Bucs signed 335-pound defensive lineman Elijah Simmons on Wednesday after Kancey was placed on IR with what could be a season-ending injury.
Kancey led the Bucs with 7.5 sacks in 2024 and has 11.5 sacks in his three-season career since Tampa Bay selected him 19th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
What Did The Bucs Say About Calijah Kancey’s Injury?
The Bucs have had one of the best run defenses in the NFL over the past two-plus seasons.
Tampa Bay (2-0) finished in the top-five in rushing-yards against per game in 2023 (95.3, 5th) and 2024 (97.8, 4th) and is fifth again through two games, surrendering just 76.5 rushing yards against the Atlanta Falcons and Houston Texans.
Kancey has had an influence on that facet of the Bucs defense, despite his undersized, 6-0, 280-pound frame and Pro-Football Focus’ inability to notice. Due to his outside position in Tampa Bay’s 3-4, Kancey is required to have a less of an impact in the run game.
Yet, Kancey has been a noticeable and profoundly influential member of the team’s pass rush prowess. According to ESPN’s stats, Kancey ranks tied for fourth among interior defensive linemen in pass-rush win rate (14 percent) this season.
Head coach Todd Bowles understands the influence Kancey has on the team’s interior D-line, and he appreciates the hole his absence leaves.
“Everybody’s got to step up,” said Bowles. “Obviously we can’t replicate what Kancey can do for us. Some of them have got to play the run, some of them have got to be ready for the pass. Everybody’s got to do their job and we just have to cover for him.”
The injury to Kancey means he will miss at least four games, but pectoral injuries tend to linger longer. A torn pec is generally understood to be a season-ending injury, with surgery and six-month recovery periods, though Bowles also said it’s too early to speculate whether that will be the case for Kancey.
“A little premature for that,” Bowles said of Kancey’s recovery period. “I’m not really sure.”
Who Is Elijah Simmons?
Simmons was graded by NFL Next Gen Stats as a potentially solid backup interior lineman, and PFF had him highly graded, especially at defending the run, over his five years at the University of Tennessee.
Simmons had been on the Arizona Cardinals practice squad but was plucked by Tampa Bay to join its active roster after Kancey’s injury.
Simmons played 55 games for the Volunteers and had a half-sack and eight tackles for loss in that span. He had 59 tackles and three passes defended in Knoxville.
But because of his robust stature, Simmons seems like less of a true replacement for Kancey and more like insurance backing up Vea — along side fellow 300-plus-pound interior lineman Greg Gaines.
Rookie defensive lineman Elijah Roberts seems more likely to see reps in Kancey’s absence, since he had a half-sack in Tampa Bay’s 20-19 win over Houston. Bowles has liked what he has seen from the rookie so far.
“He’s coming on by the week,” Bowles said of Roberts. “We’re really happy with his athletic ability. Him understanding the scheme a lot better means he can play a lot faster. The more confidence he gains, the better you see his ability coming out, and he’s been doing really well these last few weeks.”
Buccaneers Add 335-Pound Young Defensive Tackle to Roster After Kancey Injury