In football on the second Monday night, the Buccaneers were on the path to facing the Texans. After both teams scored on each of the first two possessions, it became a defensive battle.
In the end, Baker Mayfield led Tampa Bay in the game-winning drive vs. Houston. They won 20-19 and are 2-0 to start the season. In the second quarter of Monday night’s victory, the Buccaneers launched defensive lineman Kariya Kansey. NFL Insider confirmed Tuesday that Kansy suffered a season-ending injury requiring surgery.
Kariya Kansy’s 2025 campaign was shortened due to a chest injury
Tests confirmed that BUCS DT Calijah Kancey tore his PEC, and he is now scheduled to undergo season-ending surgery on Friday. https://t.co/mdu56o2olz
-Adam Scha After (@adamscha after) September 16, 2025
On the 19th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers chose Carrie Cancy from Pittsburgh. Over three seasons in Tampa Bay. Kansy started all 28 games he appeared in. Throughout his first two seasons, Kansy fought through injuries. He missed three games as a rookie in 2023 and five games in 2024. Unfortunately, Kansy suffered a serious injury early in the 2025 season. Kariya Kansy suffered from a smashing Peck against the Texan on Monday.
He was injured at the end of the season at the age of 24. Kansy misses Tampa Bay’s final 15 games of the 2025 season. He would have missed 23 games in the first three seasons of his NFL career. Despite a shortage of five games in 2024, Kancey was able to record 7.5 bags of Buccaneers. He played for 71% of the team’s defensive snaps in 2024.
MRI has just been confirmed #Buccaneers DT Calijah Kancy tore his PEC last night, sources say. He needed surgery and his season was over. pic.twitter.com/uarn2iituq
– Microphone material (@mikegarflohle) September 16, 2025
The Buccaneers wanted another productive season from their previous first-round picks. Not after Kariya Kansy tore his PEC. When Kansy fell to MNF, Tampa Bay had to head towards the depths of the line of defence. Specifically, Greg Gaines and Elijah Roberts. Gaines is third in his seventh professional season in Tampa Bay. He started three Bucs games in 2024.
Additionally, the team has Elijah Roberts, the fifth rookie pick from SMU. This season he has played for just 18% of the team’s defensive snaps. Kariya Kansey’s injury allowed Roberts to see his playing time increase. It’s a chance for the rookies to prove he’s a piece of valuable depth in their defensive line. Kancy’s injuries happened early enough during the season as the Bucs could add a player or two to help with the defense. Tampa Bay is 2-0 to start the 2025 season and will be at home to play the New York Jets in week three.
