The Buccaneers placed Kieft on injured reserve Tuesday due to a leg injury, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kieft likely suffered the injury during the Buccaneers' 29-27 win over the Jets on Sunday. His placement on IR means he'll be forced to miss at least the next four games, but the injury could sideline the 2022 sixth-rounder for the rest of the season, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Kieft's absence opens the door for Devin Culp to serve as the Bucs' TE3 behind Cade Otton and Payne Durham.

Kieft did not see any targets across 17 regular-season games in 2024.

EDGE Analysis

After exceeding 200 snaps from scrimmage in his first two seasons, Kieft's participation on offense dipped to 102 snaps in 2024 under new offensive coordinator Liam Coen. Additionally, after the 2022 sixth-round pick posted an 8-82-2 line 15 targets in his first pair of campaigns, Kieft was exclusively limited to blocking duties in 2024, and he'll head into the final year of his rookie contract in 2025 projected to serve in the same capacity now that Coen has been retained.

Kieft went without a target while playing six of the Buccaneers' 82 snaps on offense in Monday's 41-31 loss to the Ravens.

EDGE Analysis

With Cade Otton dominating the snaps at tight end for the Buccaneers through the first seven weeks, Kieft nor the team's other depth options at the position have been able to carve out much playing time. Though Kieft has suited up in all seven of the Bucs' contests, the six snaps he played Monday represented a season high.

Kieft (ankle) has no injury designation ahead of Thursday night's matchup against the Falcons, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kieft was able to log a full practice Wednesday after estimating back-to-back limited sessions to open the Buccaneers' week of practice. The third-year pro is expected to serve as a depth piece in the team's tight end room while primarily playing on special teams during Tampa Bay's Week 5 divisional matchup.

Kieft (ankle) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's practice estimation.

EDGE Analysis

Kieft was able to play through his ankle injury in the Buccaneers' Week 4 loss to the Eagles, tallying 22 total snaps (three offensive and 19 on special teams) without recording a stat. The third-year tight end is still expected to play in Thursday night's divisional matchup against the Falcons unless his participation is downgraded either Tuesday or Wednesday.

Kieft (ankle) is active Sunday against the Eagles, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kieft started the week with back-to-back DNPs at practice but did get back on the field Friday, setting him up to take the field in Week 4. He should operate as the team's No. 3 tight end, behind starter Cade Otton and backup Payne Durham.

Kieft (ankle) was a limited participant in Friday's practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Eagles.

EDGE Analysis

Kieft opened the week with back-to-back DNPs due to an ankle injury he sustained in Week 3 against the Broncos. The 2022 sixth-round pick has given himself a chance at playing Sunday after practicing in a limited capacity Friday. If Kieft cannot play in Week 4, then rookie seventh-round pick Devin Culp would serve as the Bucs' No. 3 tight end behind Cade Otton and Payne Durham.

Kieft did not see any targets in the Buccaneers' 37-20 win over the Commanders on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Kieft wasn't even deployed as a blocker as much as he typically was in former coordinator Dave Canales' offense, with all but two of his 18 total snaps Sunday coming on special teams. Even if he does end up seeing an uptick in playing time on offense in coming weeks, Kieft is expected to remain a distant third pass-catching option at tight end behind Cade Otton and Payne Durham.

Kieft was active for 16 regular-season games and both postseason contests in the 2023 campaign, bringing in one of five targets for a two-yard touchdown.

EDGE Analysis

Kieft once again served almost exclusively as a blocking tight end, but an even greater extent than during his rookie 2022 campaign when he'd posted a 7-80-1 line on 10 targets. The 26-year-old's only stats from scrimmage came in Week 15 against the Packers. Kieft figures to slot into the same role and continue to also contribute to multiple special-teams units during the third year of his four-year rookie deal in 2024.

Kieft (shoulder) is active Sunday against the Panthers.

EDGE Analysis

Kieft missed the Buccaneers' Week 17 matchup with the injury, but he'll return to action in the team's regular-season finale, as they attempt to wrap up an NFC South championship.