Todd Bowles Talks About The Tristan Wirfs Injury, Recovery
July 21st, 2025
During an exclusive sitdown with JoeBucsFan.com today, Todd Bowles served up his first public comments since it was reported that All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs had surgery in July to repair a lingering knee injury.
Various reports have said Wirfs is likely to land on the regular season physically unable to perform list (PUP) and miss the first four games of the season.
Bowles seemed a lot more optimistic regarding the return timetable.
Asked about speculation the Bucs or Wirfs mishandled his injury, Bowles said that’s not what happened.
“Obviously, there have been talks since the season ended and for it to heal,” Bowles said. ”And [the medical staff and Wirfs] each other decided to get the surgery done. Sometimes when you let things heal, they don’t heal the right way. That’s just part of it.
“That’s just like going for it on fourth down. Either you get it or you don’t. Either it heals or it doesn’t and you have to get surgery. But there was great communication throughout and Tristan’s in great spirits right now. And if I was a bettin’ man, I’d bet he’d be back sooner than later. All we can do is get the next guys ready. …
“Unfortunately it’s one of our best players. But we’ve been without Mike [Evans]. We’ve been without Chris [Godwin]. We’ve been without Vita [Vea]. We’ve been without [Calijah] Kancey. We’ve been without Winfield. We’ve been without guys and gotten through. We even played without right tackle Luke [Goedeke] last year and we had to have [Justin] Skule, so this will be a situation for Heck or someone else to step up at tackle and hold the fort til he gets back.”
Pressed on whether Wirfs could be ready for Week 1, Bowles said he’s unsure.
“That I cannot tell you,” Bowles replied. “I just know he’ll be ready sooner than later. I don’t know if it’s Week 1, 2, 3. He’ll definitely put the work in, so I don’t have a problem with that.”
Asked about a workout video Wirfs posted on Instagram recently, Bowles said he hadn’t seen it but he knows what he’s love to see.
“I would feel better if you told me he put out a video jumping out of a pool on one leg,” Bowles said. “Then I’d know he’d be close to being ready to play.”
Joe’s got plenty more from Bowles. Check back soon.
July 21st, 2025 at 7:42 pm
Thanks Joe good update
July 21st, 2025 at 7:44 pm
Thanks for the update Joe!
July 21st, 2025 at 7:51 pm
I don’t believe he’s going on the PUP list
July 21st, 2025 at 7:51 pm
Sure, Todd. Skule really stepped up for Goedeke.
::facepalm::
July 21st, 2025 at 8:07 pm
Never thought he would go on the PUP list. In order for that to happen it would have had to be something even more serious like an MCL and they never mentioned any tears in his MCL. So the timeline is significantly quicker. He may even play week 1! Coaches tens to exaggerate injuries so the timeline is a pleasant surprise. I think that is what is going to happen here…
July 21st, 2025 at 8:35 pm
” We even played without right tackle Luke [Goedeke] last year and we had to have [Justin] Skule…”
Geez, I know Skule was backing up, but we “had to have”? Lol, chopped liver.
July 21st, 2025 at 8:48 pm
You can’t put him on th PUP, if Heck sheetz the bed you can bring Wirfs back til week 5. I would rather a 80% Wirfs vs 100% Heck for weeks 3 and 4 if things go south.
July 21st, 2025 at 9:14 pm
I’m hoping and imagining that the MAJOR issue is any possibility of reinjury if TW returns too soon.
It’s not just can he get it ready to play, will it hold up. No more Jensens please.
I’d rather TW miss some games than come back prematurely inviting a reinjury.
July 21st, 2025 at 9:17 pm
speedy recovery tristan
July 21st, 2025 at 9:37 pm
Skule did okay… once he was “warmed up” via A-Hutch.
After that he was much better. Remember, we won that game in Detroit.
July 21st, 2025 at 9:39 pm
Glad to hear it.
Short of Miniscus repair, ACL or PCL reconstruction (which take 3-9 months for complete healing depending) – most arthroscopic knee surgeries take 4-8 weeks to fully heal. Swelling and some degree of discomfort is expected for up to 3-4 months after surgery – but the knee should be fully healed, sound and ready for athletic activities within 6-8 weeks in many cases.
Tristan had his surgery 2 weeks ago – and we’re now just short of 8 weeks from the opening game vs Atlanta.
That timeline points to Wirfs either being ready for game 1 – or perhaps missing just 1 or 2 games if he’s not a fast healer – which I’m betting he is….
July 21st, 2025 at 9:44 pm
Excellent update on Tristan with lots of good information.
Thank you, Joe.
I just hope they don’t rush him back.
I’d much rather see him take the time to fully heal 100%, even if it means missing another game or two.
July 21st, 2025 at 10:36 pm
Translation: If there’s no chance of aggravating the injury and Wirfs can play through the pain, he’ll be ready to go sooner.
July 21st, 2025 at 11:09 pm
Thanks for the intel Joe! I think Dewey Selmon has a point, the Bucs will not PUP Wirfs unless it is clearly obvious the guy will not be ready until week 5. I want to be optimistic and hope that Wirfs is ready sooner, rather than later as Pickgrin posted but us fans also have to realize that Coach Bowles is going to present the “glass half full” outlook rather than point out the worst case scenario….. Lets just hope that TW makes a speedy recovery, the guy has the heart and motivation but the team also has to be certain thaat he does not come back too soon and risk even more damage……..
July 22nd, 2025 at 12:37 am
Joe leans that way too.
July 22nd, 2025 at 12:52 am
finally, actual word from the organization mouth. his attitude about it is relieving. great work, joe!
July 22nd, 2025 at 1:18 am
Doesn’t PUP only require missing 3 games?
July 22nd, 2025 at 2:50 am
PUP designation has been modified to automatically missing 3 weeks (instead of the previous 4 weeks) this year.
So if the Bucs did PUP Wirfs to start the season – he would miss the Falcons, Texans and Jets games- then be eligible to return for the home game vs Eagles in week 4.
July 22nd, 2025 at 5:19 am
I think he’ll be ready week 1. He’s a beast, and he wants to be out there.
Go Bucs.
July 22nd, 2025 at 6:37 am
Speaking of the medical staff, So they couldn’t tell in May or June that surgery is the way to go but 2 weeks before training camp they decide it’s the thing to do?
This is most definitely going to bite this team right in the a$$. A total F up by the staff.
July 22nd, 2025 at 7:03 am
i don’t think Bowles knows the first thing about this situation.
July 22nd, 2025 at 7:04 am
did Wirfs reject surgical option months and months earlier or was it discouraged or was it never proposed? this imo is where the story lies.
July 22nd, 2025 at 7:23 am
Bucu and Jeffrey Becker are spot on. Injuries happen, to be dealing with an injury from ly, two weeks before training camp is negligent.
To use Injuries on the defensive side of the ball to compare; those players defend your end zone. Those Injuries cost you points. The injury to your LT can cost you the starting Right handed QB.
To think this should have been taken care of back in the spring time, to help us be the best version come the start of training camp, it’s disappointing to say the least.
July 22nd, 2025 at 7:33 am
I think we can carry Wirfs on the bench the first week or two, presumably we won’t be thin at any other positions when the season starts
July 22nd, 2025 at 7:46 am
Four.
July 22nd, 2025 at 7:58 am
“so this will be a situation for Heck or someone else to step up at tackle and hold the fort til he gets back.”
I’m for the someone else, Heck blocks with the fluidity of a nutcracker.
July 22nd, 2025 at 8:13 am
Medical staff & defensive coordinator are a joke!!!!!
July 22nd, 2025 at 9:52 am
They better give Heck help and not take forever to unlike the Detroit game because Mayfield will be running for his life and getting crushed on a regular. We have to start off fast and maintain it until he comes back.
July 22nd, 2025 at 9:56 am
^^^
George Fant from Seattle is working out with the Bucs today, no way were we just going with Heck as the replacement for Wirfs w/o bringin in competition.