By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
BigPaulSportsBigPaulSports
Notification Show More
Latest News
All-Pro LT Tristan Wirfs' knee injury cuts short Bucs' summer of optimism
All-Pro LT Tristan Wirfs’ knee injury cuts short Bucs’ summer of optimism
Game Analysis NFL
Deion Talks Health, QBs, NIL: Coach Prime's Top Moments From Big 12 Media Days
Deion Talks Health, QBs, NIL: Coach Prime’s Top Moments From Big 12 Media Days
Game Analysis
Pop-Tarts Bowl Mascots Going to Ireland For Iowa State-Kansas State 2025 Opener
Pop-Tarts Bowl Mascots Going to Ireland For Iowa State-Kansas State 2025 Opener
Game Analysis
MLB Using ABS Challenge System During 2025 All-Star Game
MLB Using ABS Challenge System During 2025 All-Star Game
Game Analysis
2025 Wimbledon Odds: Alcaraz, Sabalenka Favored Ahead Of Semifinals
2025 Wimbledon Odds: Alcaraz, Sabalenka Favored Ahead Of Semifinals
Game Analysis
Aa
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Reading: All-Pro LT Tristan Wirfs’ knee injury cuts short Bucs’ summer of optimism
Share
Aa
BigPaulSportsBigPaulSports
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Search
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
BigPaulSports > Blog > Game Analysis > All-Pro LT Tristan Wirfs’ knee injury cuts short Bucs’ summer of optimism
Game AnalysisNFL

All-Pro LT Tristan Wirfs’ knee injury cuts short Bucs’ summer of optimism

BigP
Last updated: 2025/07/09 at 8:09 PM
BigP Published July 9, 2025
Share
All-Pro LT Tristan Wirfs' knee injury cuts short Bucs' summer of optimism
SHARE

Greg Auman

Greg Auman

NFL Reporter

The Bucs, going for a fifth straight division title, have their first major injury setback of 2025.

All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs, the highest-paid offensive lineman in the league, will miss the start of the upcoming season after undergoing surgery Tuesday on his right knee. Wirfs, 26, had been limited in minicamp last month with a brace on the knee, though at the time Bucs coach Todd Bowles sounded confident he would be fine for training camp.

That’s no longer the case, as the Tampa Bay Times reported that the team discovered additional damage during an arthroscopic procedure, necessitating a longer absence. According to The Times, Wirfs “will likely miss at least the first couple games of the regular season” and will probably start the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which would mean a minimum of four games out.

Before Wirfs’ injury, Tampa’s offensive continuity was a source of optimism this offseason, with all 11 starters back from a top-five offense last season. Wirfs’ absence exposes a vulnerability for the Bucs, who lost their swing tackle from the past three years, Justin Skule, in free agency to the Vikings.

ADVERTISEMENT

Replacing Skule is another NFL veteran, Charlie Heck, who has a massive frame at 6-foot-8, 310 pounds but started only two games last season in limited action with the Cardinals and 49ers. It’s possible the Bucs will look for new competition with Heck, who signed a modest one-year, $1.57 million contract this spring. The remaining in-house options have little or no NFL experience.

If Wirfs does indeed miss the first month of the regular season, it’s a tough four-game stretch without him. The Bucs open with a key divisional game at Atlanta, which swept Tampa Bay last season, then a trip to the Texans and home games against the Jets and Eagles. The Bucs have won their season opener in all three seasons under Bowles, with 3-1 starts in each of the past two seasons.

Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield will be without his prime protector early in the 2025 season. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)

Could Wirfs’ extended absence have been avoided? He strained the MCL in his right knee in November, missing most of a game against the 49ers, resting two weeks and then returning for the final six games of the regular season. When Bowles was asked about Wirfs being limited with a brace in mandatory minicamp in June, he said the brace was “precautionary,” but the injury proved to be more extensive than originally expected. It was another four weeks after minicamp before Wirfs had the surgery.

Before the Wirfs injury, the Bucs were the oddsmakers’ clear favorite to win the NFC South, with an over-under of 9.5 wins, well ahead of the Falcons (7.5), Panthers (6.5) and Saints (5.5). This makes getting that opening win at Atlanta all the more crucial, so the head-to-head tiebreaker could work in the Bucs’ favor instead of against them as it did last season.

Wirfs had missed a total of five games in his first five NFL seasons. If his absence is limited to the first four games or fewer, he’ll still be in position to contend for high league honors. He’s been first-team All-Pro at both right and left tackles, has made four straight Pro Bowls and is a candidate for the NFL’s new Protector of the Year award, given to the league’s top offensive lineman.

Greg Auman is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports. He previously spent a decade covering the Buccaneers for the Tampa Bay Times and The Athletic. You can follow him on Twitter at @gregauman.

Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!


recommended

Item 1 of 3


National Football League

Get more from the National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more


in this topic

Sponsored Content

You Might Also Like

Deion Talks Health, QBs, NIL: Coach Prime’s Top Moments From Big 12 Media Days

Pop-Tarts Bowl Mascots Going to Ireland For Iowa State-Kansas State 2025 Opener

MLB Using ABS Challenge System During 2025 All-Star Game

2025 Wimbledon Odds: Alcaraz, Sabalenka Favored Ahead Of Semifinals

TAGGED: nfl
BigP July 9, 2025
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print

Follow US

Find US on Social Medias
Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Youtube Subscribe
Telegram Follow
newsletter featurednewsletter featured

Weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

    Popular News
    Jordan Addison-Kirk Cousins combination leads Vikings to upset win over 49ers
    NFLSports News

    Jordan Addison-Kirk Cousins combination leads Vikings to upset win over 49ers

    BigP BigP October 24, 2023
    Sources: Lions signing Goff to $212M extension
    ACC officials lean into ‘success initiatives’ model
    Bennett, UVA’s top pass-rusher, out vs. Tennessee
    ‘The worst part of the game’: How Aaron Rodgers’ Jets debut unraveled
    - Advertisement -
    Ad imageAd image

    Categories

    • Sports

    About US

    We offer information and tips on US Sports and evernts all over the world.
    Top Categories
    • Game Analysis
    • Free Picks
    • Services
    • Premium Content

    Subscribe US

    Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

      © Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.

      Removed from reading list

      Undo
      Welcome Back!

      Sign in to your account

      Lost your password?