Report: Tristan Wirfs To Miss Start Of Season
July 9th, 2025
Injury.
Horrible news out of One Buc Palace.
As Joe feared when he saw Bucs All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs in a big ol’ ugly knee brace in underwear football, this wasn’t just a precaution of some sort.
Apparently, Wirfs’ right knee was less than ideal. First injured last season, Wirfs had arthroscopic surgery on that knee yesterday, reports ESPN. This appears to have knocked out Wirfs for at least Week 1, per the report, which claims Wirfs had “multiple” setbacks with the injury and he decided to go under the knife yesterday (Tuesday).
Are you ready, Charlie Heck?
July 9th, 2025 at 11:19 am
Brutal! I hate bad news in July and august! I hope the back up is above average. I’m not sure why this wasn’t done earlier… damn.
July 9th, 2025 at 11:20 am
sounds like he could start the year on ir, which means out 4 games. I hope Im wrong!
July 9th, 2025 at 11:21 am
Yekes
July 9th, 2025 at 11:21 am
1-3 start incoming….brutal loss.
July 9th, 2025 at 11:24 am
Dude, what the eff?
July 9th, 2025 at 11:25 am
Season hasn’t even began and injuries already piling up. Swear this teM is cursed when it comes to injuries. Total bummer!
July 9th, 2025 at 11:25 am
I will never, ever understand why any professional athlete will hold off on a surgery when they are getting paid millions of dollars to be ready to play. It’s not as if making co-pays and meeting deductibles would be a problem for him.
July 9th, 2025 at 11:27 am
i just got a text about this…this is not good…
now i come here and see it…wtf…
yeah, why not get this surgery after the season…?
or did something recently happen…?
something is off…….this is surprisingly crappy news
July 9th, 2025 at 11:29 am
That knee brace at mini-camp wasn’t nothing apparently.
You have to expect that these things are going to happen. NFL players get hurt, stuff lingers. You can’t just talk about being screwed because of one bit of adversity. This isn’t an excuse to go out and lose games. Good teams adjust.
July 9th, 2025 at 11:30 am
This stems all the way back to week 10 vs the 49ers. It’s July, I get trying to tough it out, but cmon man your body is your money maker.
This should’ve been done February/March at the latest, and Wirf would’ve still had time to rehab without his absence putting us at a disadvantage w/live games going on.
offseason injury he probably goes on the pup list
July 9th, 2025 at 11:31 am
Seems like they thought the procedure would be minor but found more damage than expected. And he’ll likely start on the PUP list, which is better than IR.
July 9th, 2025 at 11:32 am
Tristan Wirfs is going to the PUP list
He’s out for the first four games, minimum
It’s the next man up, Bowles is use to this happening
But it’s better now than a week before the opener
Now we have all of training camp to prepare for the season with a new LT.
July 9th, 2025 at 11:33 am
Geesh!
July 9th, 2025 at 11:34 am
NYC buc, yeah, rest of the team will just fold ….. this isn’t some ny team buddy, sybau gtfoh.
July 9th, 2025 at 11:35 am
Sounds like he thought he could gut it out and it would resolve itself. Better to fix it now than have to shut it down mid-season. The deep passing component Grizz wants to add might have to be shelved for the first quarter of the season.
July 9th, 2025 at 11:39 am
Oh Boy here we go, injuries and we haven’t even gotten to camp. Man, that sucks
July 9th, 2025 at 11:40 am
damn…yuge loss
July 9th, 2025 at 11:41 am
We win the NFC South
With or without Wirfs
During moments of adversity…we rise up
We don’t fold like some weakling
July 9th, 2025 at 11:41 am
Sooooo, what was Pat Kerwin saying about Bucs OL depth?
July 9th, 2025 at 11:42 am
Plenty of time to adjust . Licht and Bowles need to show their moxy. We have enough time to create a game plan that minimizes us missing Wirfs for a couple games . Licht needs to bring in others to try out. It might be smart to move guys around the line and play at each guys strengths .i hope he’s a fast healer ..
July 9th, 2025 at 11:43 am
Count me in the minority I guess. A lot of posters on this site saying Wirfs should have had surgery earlier. Maybe. But when I read he had “multiple” setbacks, I’m guessing he tried to heal with rehab and rest. Welp…yep – it sucks but as Joe points out…maybe it’s just for one game.
July 9th, 2025 at 11:44 am
FFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUDDDDDDDDGGGGGGGGGEEEEEE….
July 9th, 2025 at 11:46 am
Barton @ LT ?
July 9th, 2025 at 11:49 am
2-2. We WILL punch Atlanta in the face, unsure about the Texans on mnf only due to how well we don’t play in prime time and against the afc. Jets should be a win, and the eagles game will be a different outcome versus having to play them either their top wideouts as last year. Heck will have to step up since we lost skule, remember we played well when goedeke went down
July 9th, 2025 at 11:50 am
I hate getting the bad news one silver lining to get this bad news is better to get it in June or July, for this to happen in August September or worst during season within catastrophic. The suggests works will be about better than ever this year compared to last and we’ll get to see what the heck Charlie can do
July 9th, 2025 at 11:50 am
Well, time to see what our depth can do at LT. Just play the games safe. This could be a good thing if we get him back healthy for a superbowl run.
July 9th, 2025 at 11:51 am
HOW?
July 9th, 2025 at 11:54 am
We are already in July.
I bet he starts the season on the PUP list
July 9th, 2025 at 11:56 am
Donovan Smith is healthy lol and very available
July 9th, 2025 at 11:58 am
Godwin and Wirfs will start the season on the IR. Mark the tape. The season is already doomed before it started. Atlanta wins the division like all the compotent experts are predicting.
July 9th, 2025 at 12:00 pm
This sucks!
July 9th, 2025 at 12:01 pm
If Bucky and the rest of rbs are successful, the Bucs should be fine.
July 9th, 2025 at 12:02 pm
This is a huge loss and likely season-altering for the team. I had us at 9-8 or 10-7 at best. I think this will hurt us enough to risk losing the division. For those that are saying next man up, please step back and realize this is by far our best player
July 9th, 2025 at 12:03 pm
Oh God, here we go the only thing that could derail this season is injuries please Baker Mike Evans Bucky no more injuries
July 9th, 2025 at 12:03 pm
SB~LV Says:
July 9th, 2025 at 11:46 am
Probably not. There’s a reason he was drafted as a center. Also, you’re weakening the center position with that move and we don’t have any proven depth there.
July 9th, 2025 at 12:03 pm
who’s our starting left tackle for now….
Heck…?
July 9th, 2025 at 12:04 pm
The sky is not falling.
July 9th, 2025 at 12:06 pm
My expectation for the first month was 3-1. My expectation now is 3-1.
There’s two months before the first game. No excuses for poor play against a Falcons team that isn’t more talented.
July 9th, 2025 at 12:12 pm
100% knew this feeling of a destined season was too good to be true. At least we can bury the thought early. Go Bucs (Whats left of us)
July 9th, 2025 at 12:14 pm
My personal prediction,
Charlie Heck will do a Heck of a job at LT
July 9th, 2025 at 12:14 pm
It begins.
July 9th, 2025 at 12:17 pm
Rover Says:
July 9th, 2025 at 12:12 pm
Loser mentality.
July 9th, 2025 at 12:18 pm
Arthroscopic knee surgery can mean quite a few things. Depends on the severity. For instance, in 1986 I had a mild meniscus tear, got arthroscopy, and was back pole-vaulting in a mere 2 weeks. Docs told me it was a very minor tear and easy to fix and heal from. Oh, the knee still hurt for about 6-8 weeks, but it was functional.
It all depends on the severity – – we should have more info in a few weeks (IF the Bucs give an update on his recovery). Let’s give it a few weeks!
July 9th, 2025 at 12:23 pm
Bad news but maybe Bowels D will actually step up and give up 20 or less,,, I think we can still score 20 plus ,,, let TW heal properly
July 9th, 2025 at 12:24 pm
Heck will have plenty of time to be Falcon ready!!!!!
LFG!!!
July 9th, 2025 at 12:28 pm
maybe they just cleaned his knee out….
squeezed out the pomegranate juice and scooped out a few nuts and bolts
🙂
July 9th, 2025 at 12:29 pm
I’m still waiting for a Jensen update. Don’t hold your breath
July 9th, 2025 at 12:34 pm
I’m on the get Donnie Smith train.
Not a stud. But better than Charlie Heck — every single season they both have played.
July 9th, 2025 at 12:34 pm
How can one local sports blog corral so many Knee Jerk Reaction fans??? The height of knee jerk reaction is on game day comments, they live and die on each play.
July 9th, 2025 at 12:36 pm
I’m always curious about how much autonomy players have over surgery decisions. I get it their body, their choice, but are there caveats in contracts that penalize for dragging your feet receiving appropriate care that leads to games missed? Idk
July 9th, 2025 at 12:36 pm
Damn season maybe over be for it even started. Why didn’t he have the knee surgery earlier in the off season. So he would have been ready come opening day. Good thing Baker can run cause he might need his legs for the first 4 games.
July 9th, 2025 at 12:40 pm
We don’t run over Wirfs anyway. Put a TE over there. We’ll be OK. Don’t panic yet. It’s one guy. Important one but no need to put your head in the oven.
July 9th, 2025 at 12:41 pm
This is awful.
Cancel my week 1 predictions. Still think we beat the Falcons but gonna be tougher to blow them out. I don’t have much faith in Charlie Heck. Hope I’m wrong but Jalon Walker and James Pearce are popping bottles today with this news.
July 9th, 2025 at 12:42 pm
This right now smells like a 4-to-6-month injury. Not just a miss a few games at the start of the season.
July 9th, 2025 at 12:43 pm
Everyone who’s posting about him going on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list – even if they put him on the PUP list right now they can still take him off before the regular season starts if they think he can start while missing just a game or two. The PUP list in the offseason is just that – there are no rules requiring someone to sit out a pre-determined number of games until the regular season clock starts running.
July 9th, 2025 at 12:44 pm
The sky falling crowd is really amped up today.
They will adjust.
July 9th, 2025 at 12:44 pm
OK: I need a report on where Logan Hall was when this happened
July 9th, 2025 at 12:48 pm
seems like a mismanaged injury. incoming godwin news anytime now
July 9th, 2025 at 12:48 pm
I’m guessing this is one of those hindsight 20/20 situations, where they thought it was a minor sprain and a simple rehab would fix it but that wasn’t the case. Underwear football had him moving around and then he is worse than originally thought. Hope this is just an outlier then we get him back quickly. Missing Goedeki for those games was rough. And that’s not even the left tackle. It’s amazing we even beat Detroit based on how Hutchinson was going off on us. That was one of the few games last year where the defense balled out and was relatively healthy. I give much credit to the defense for that win.
July 9th, 2025 at 12:50 pm
Sad to hear. Setbacks for sure, and it sounds like it was a hard decision for him to finally have the surgery. Hope he heals well along with the rehab.
FilthyAnimal Says: “That knee brace at mini-camp wasn’t nothing apparently.” So true, so true. Many of us had that worrisome inkling about it.
July 9th, 2025 at 12:51 pm
Oh, gee, how did the professional football player and professional football team’s medical staff not think of that? They should’ve consulted this website’s expert commenters!
Seriously, settle down. This won’t be the last injury. All teams get them, and we’re no different. This one will be forgotten about by the end of the season. We’re still good, just cross our fingers for better health from here on out.
July 9th, 2025 at 12:53 pm
Atlanta, Houston, Jets and Eagles first four games. The best shot we have is wins against Atlanta and Jets to go 2-2 no way we are beating the Eagles with that pass rush and no Wirfs. Houston is a toss up as it has been pretty close last time we played them.
July 9th, 2025 at 12:56 pm
Hear me out…give X2 Supebowl winning LT Donovan Smith a call
July 9th, 2025 at 1:00 pm
What a kick in the nuts.
July 9th, 2025 at 1:04 pm
left leg, right knee, 5 years takes its toll. he is a tough guy and a pro he’ll do what it takes to get back as soon as possible no doubt.
July 9th, 2025 at 1:06 pm
This is close to the worst news that the Bucs could get for opening the season. Mayfield, Wirfs & Vea are our 3 ‘Gotta have’ guys.
My bet is that Charlie Heck won’t be starting the season at LT. Check his track record … 1 season as a starter back in 2021 with Houston, and that was as a RIGHT tackle. JL will find another LT before the season starts. Hmmm, maybe 32-year-old Donovan Smith makes a comeback?
July 9th, 2025 at 1:09 pm
Beeej Says:
July 9th, 2025 at 12:44 pm
OK: I need a report on where Logan Hall was when this happened
😂
July 9th, 2025 at 1:11 pm
Well – at least we are not installing another brand new offense. This sucks but we should be able to survive for a game or two.
July 9th, 2025 at 1:12 pm
Stick to dink and dink – and run Bucky run!!
July 9th, 2025 at 1:12 pm
FYI Joe(s) — they don’t use the “knife” on these, just two or three small punctures — Arthroscopic
July 9th, 2025 at 1:20 pm
Well at least we can say ‘What the Heck’ week 1 lol.
Man that’s brutal but not the end of the world. We have months to prepare for this situation now.
July 9th, 2025 at 1:22 pm
That’s it. Cancel the season! Cancel our Internet. Sell the team to another state. Break up with our spouses. Sell everything. Buy a backpack and a hatchet and start walking. Doom gloom poor poor us. Go Bowles!
July 9th, 2025 at 1:23 pm
Good thing the falcons didn’t just draft two first round pass rushers and Houston doesn’t have Will Anderson jr….. oh wait. Yeah we’re cooked. I knew sometype of foolery was bound to happen with all the fan excitement. Just gotta pray he can miss less than 4 games but even then we cannot afford to get off to a slow start with how we always fall apart mid season. That would be a death sentence for this team
July 9th, 2025 at 1:26 pm
Should of got the surgery at the end of the season so you could be ready. not wait until training camp to realize how bad it was cmon be a professional
July 9th, 2025 at 1:27 pm
LICHT!!!!!….call up LYNCH and get TRENT WILLIAMS!!!!!!..
when Wirfs returns, kick trent inside to RG…
GO BUCS!!!!
July 9th, 2025 at 1:27 pm
How about the guy from Georgia State, Chukwuma?
July 9th, 2025 at 1:27 pm
@ DR and Beej
D. Smith suffered a hip injury last preseason and did not play in 2024…
If he is fully healed, in shape and ready to go then maybe this is an option.
He was below mediocre when younger and healthy so I wouldn’t hold my breath.
July 9th, 2025 at 1:31 pm
The sky is falling!
July 9th, 2025 at 1:32 pm
Might be able to get the starter for NE last year, Lowe. They took an OL to replace him at pick 5 or so.
July 9th, 2025 at 1:37 pm
How can this be allowed to happen? You all put Licht on a pedestal too much. It is his job to manage this better.
July 9th, 2025 at 1:38 pm
WHAT IN THE ACTUAL F**^K!!
It’s from an injury last season? Are you effing kidding me?!?!? Did we learn nothing from the whole Jenson situation hurting us for 2 straight years!?!?
Why are we just messing around with this now?? He should have gotten surgery after the season ended so he would be good to go. Why does this team f*^K around with injuries like this?
We messed around with Dennis’ shoulder last year when it should have been addressed early and it hurt is then too.
It’s freaking BS and someone at One Buc needs to call this out! There’s no reason for us to let ignorance with injuries linger until they affect the season. It’s irresponsible and wreckless and we’ve done this BS multiple times. Whoever is responsible needs to be held accountable.
July 9th, 2025 at 1:44 pm
You are missing the keyword in the story. “Setbacks.”
July 9th, 2025 at 2:03 pm
I think the Bucs organization thought it wasn’t that series and he could rehab and be fine. From what I read once he got the surgery they found more damage then initially thought.
July 9th, 2025 at 2:04 pm
Better to happen now then after the first week of the season. Let the backup (Heck) get the reps with the 1st team in TC to get ready for the season.
If Wirfs being out the first couple weeks tanks the season, there are bigger issues going on
July 9th, 2025 at 2:11 pm
LakelandBuc Says:
July 9th, 2025 at 11:32 am
Tristan Wirfs is going to the PUP list
He’s out for the first four games, minimum
It’s the next man up, Bowles is use to this happening
But it’s better now than a week before the opener
Now we have all of training camp to prepare for the season with a new LT.
____________________________________________________________
Excellent take homeboy!
July 9th, 2025 at 2:14 pm
I understand if you don’t have to go into the knife, you don’t but a scope is not that big a deal. I don’t understand why they didn’t do this in January or February.
First 3-
@ falcons
@ texans
NY Jets
July 9th, 2025 at 2:19 pm
If we can take a positive out of a negative situation it’s this: We have a tendency to come out of the gate strong and then have a lapse in focus resulting in a 6-8 game stretch where we win two or three games. With Wirfs out, everyone will give their best effort with their best focus trying to make up for his absence. Then, when Wirfs comes back we are really going to put our foot on the gas. I still stand by my prediction of an undefeated season!!
July 9th, 2025 at 2:29 pm
No need to panic
In Todd I trust, one player won’t cause us a season
I’m still predicting 12-5 this season
Baker gets the ball out quickly
Egbuka in the slot will have an instant impact
We have Bucky and Rachaad catching passes out of the backfield
ME, Godwin running slants
Otton running crossing routes, Bucky up the middle
We will have a much improved defense
I love it, 12-5 season, with playoffs wins
July 9th, 2025 at 2:34 pm
This surgery Will require 6 to 8 weeks to rehab. Then 4 to 6 weeks to get into football playing shape. Worst case scenario is and won’t be available in week or nine. Best coach, I’m on the style is the offensive line coach.
July 9th, 2025 at 2:43 pm
A surgical decision is usually made based on objective evidence, like an MRI. Quality orthopedic surgeons generally can tell the extent of an injury based on physical testing, and then it is confirmed on MRI. I’m certainly disappointed he went under the knife on July 8th as any issue should have been taken care of earlier. This is still going to be a good football team though.
July 9th, 2025 at 2:58 pm
0-4, forthcoming and probably and injured Mayfield. Season over.
July 9th, 2025 at 3:09 pm
There is a common theme with this organization where they “Think” injuries can be rehabbed and heal on their own and they have continuously gotten it wrong with key players.
Jensen (2 straight seasons and ended his career), Dennis last year, and now Wirfs.
That’s 4 straight seasons in a row now where mismanaging an injury affected the regular season. We should be outraged about it.
July 9th, 2025 at 3:16 pm
No Worries.
This will just make the SB win all the more impressive.
Watch Godwin and Wirfs play week 1 LMAO
July 9th, 2025 at 3:19 pm
Funny, google Donovan Smith and it has him as a left tackle for the tampa bay buccaneers. Wonder of Licht has already made the call lol. That would be a really good bandaid
July 9th, 2025 at 3:20 pm
813bucboi Says:
July 9th, 2025 at 1:27 pm
🤣🤣🤣 Yeah, just like that. Snap! Because trading for quality players is just that easy. Jeeez.
What a tool.
July 9th, 2025 at 3:24 pm
Wishing for a fast recovery from the still young stud. Get well fast, Buddy,
July 9th, 2025 at 3:26 pm
BucEmUp Says:
July 9th, 2025 at 3:19 pm
Did Donovan Smith even play last year? He’s not the answer.
It amazes me the panic that fans go into when we’re facing a little bump in the road. And that’s what it is — a bump.
Winners adjust, and it doesn’t need to involve signing broken down players or eyeballing unlikely trades for big name players.
July 9th, 2025 at 4:06 pm
“Someone” says…
“In Todd I trust” and then list a Long List of 6 OFFENSIVE reasons why the person is confident in a 12-5 season ”
However, the commenter does have a one liner as the linch pin for the “Trust” he has in Bowles skills and it goes like this,
“we will have a much improved defense”……. LMAO!
Man THAT’S just tickling my Funny Bone! Thanks for the unwavering trust in Bowles OFFENSIVE skills Lakeland… I see you don’t have much to say about what he “actually” coaches “Part Time”….
I needed something to laugh about because losing Wirfs isn’t the end BUT it Sure DOESN’T helps us get closer to Winning against tough teams. I was hopeful for a 11-6 season but …… OUCH! 4 Games is Almost a Quarter of the season boys and girls.
July 9th, 2025 at 4:20 pm
FFFAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
Not good. Not good at all my bros
July 9th, 2025 at 4:22 pm
Walking no problem. Workouts nothing out of the ordinary.
Knees work pretty good when they are going North and South but once he started
putting strain on it to the East and West apparently there was a WTF moment.
Fuse in a couple of Ford Fusion Half Shaft axles and he’ll never have another lick of trouble.
July 9th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
bucs outsourcing mris to india. wirfs just arrived on horseback