NFL Rookies Broughton Kancey Suffer Season-Ending Injuries

The 2025 NFL season has been challenging for rookies Vernon Broughton of the New Orleans Saints and Calijah Kancey of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, both suffering season-ending injuries. Broughton, a third-round defensive tackle for the Saints, sustained a hip injury in his NFL debut during Week 2, which will sideline him for the remainder of the season, disrupting his development and forcing the team to rely on other defensive linemen such as Jonathan Bulard and Jonah Williams for depth. Meanwhile, Buccaneers' starting edge rusher Calijah Kancey suffered a torn pectoral muscle, requiring surgery and ending what was anticipated to be a breakout third season after leading his team in sacks in 2024. The Saints, already struggling defensively with a poor overall ranking in 2024, face further setbacks with Broughton's injury amid a tough schedule ahead. Head coach Kellen Moore and defensive coordinator Brandon Staley are working to stabilize the defense, but the loss of young talent like Broughton underscores the team's ongoing rebuilding challenges. Both teams will need to adjust their defensive strategies and depth charts to compensate for these critical injuries moving forward.