Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Cameron Kinley. Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

Navy's Cameron Kinley granted permission to attend Bucs camp

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Jul 6, 2021 5:30 PM ET

Rookie cornerback Cameron Kinley signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent but seemingly had his NFL career paused, if not ended, when, per ESPN, his request to delay his United States Navy commission was denied last month.

That's no longer the case.

Kinley took to Twitter on Tuesday to confirm Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin informed him he can attend Buccaneers training camp that opens later this month:

But God @DivineSportsEnt @Buccaneers @USNavy pic.twitter.com/Rsmfx03dZ1
— Cameron Kinley (@ck3thethrill) July 6, 2021

As Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk explained, a 2017 rule that barred athletes from delaying commissions was reversed in 2019 to grant individuals exemptions. However, Kinley was unable to receive such a pass and was given no involved explanation for that decision.

His agency also responded to Tuesday's development via a statement:

#Bucs rookie Cameron Kinley, a former Navy captain, will be able to attend #Bucs training camp after all. Statements from @ck3thethrill and his agents @DivineSportsEnt pic.twitter.com/v9sib5mXFh
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 6, 2021

According to ESPN, Kinley intercepted a pass thrown by quarterback Kyle Trask during Buccaneers rookie minicamp. Coach Bruce Arians later said Kinley "showed promising signs," and the defensive back can now attempt to make the active roster between the start of training camp and the final snap of the preseason.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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