The team elevates two defensive linemen for depth.

Well, after appearing on the injury report Friday due to a calf injury, Bucs have officially ruled out defensive tackle Calijah Kancey for Sunday’s season opener against Washington.

Tampa Bay was already thin along the defensive line with Logan Hall also being ruled out for the game and Earnest Brown being placed on IR Thursday. But the loss of Kancey — who is expected to have a big second year — will hurt the Bucs as they look to stop rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

The Bucs did add some reinforcements along the defensive line, however. On Thursday they signed Ben Stille off the Arizona Cardinals practice squad. While announcing the decision to rule out Kancey on Saturday, the team also announced they have elevated C.J. Brewer and Mike Greene from their practice squad to the active roster.

Brewer will wear No. 95. Greene will wear No. 91.

As previously noted, the loss of Kancey will hurt as expectations were high going into 2024. The severity of the injury remains a bit of a mystery, but perhaps the team is taking a precautionary approach as it is just the first game of the season and plenty of football left on the schedule.