Report: Chris Godwin And Tristan Wirfs May Play Next Week
September 21st, 2025
Return imminent?
As beat up as the Bucs are, any positive injury news is sorely welcome. Well, here is some:
Per uber NFL insider Adam Schefter of BSPN, the Bucs may get two of their best players back on the field next Sunday when the Bucs host the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles.
A few days ago, Schefter’s colleague, Jeremy Fowler, also threw out the possibility Godwin could play in Week 4. Now, Schefter has fresh intel.
During the worthless preseason, famed Sage of Tampa Bay Sports, Ira Kaufman, spoke with Wirfs, who told him had had Week 4 targeted as a realistic goal to return from July knee surgery.
This would be great, especially if the Bucs can win today against the lowly Jets. If somehow the Bucs can pull off a win with their injury-riddled offensive line, how fortunate would the Bucs be to be undefeated and then get both Godwin and Wirfs back? Talk about fortunate.
What Joe would like to know is, do the Bucs roll the dice and make a very risky move by putting Graham Barton at right tackle until Luke Goedeke returns, hopefully in late October?
Or do the Bucs just stabilize the left side of their line with their three 2025 returning starters Ben Bredeson at left guard, Barton at center and Wirfs at left tackle?
Even though Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin (ankle) and OT Tristan Wirfs (knee) both were ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Jets, both players have a “strong chance” to make their season debuts next Sunday at home vs. the Eagles, per sources. Both Godwin and Wirfs are expected… pic.twitter.com/pAaqsdNS1j
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 21, 2025
September 21st, 2025 at 2:07 am
Dont put Barton at RT….he’s been discombobulated enough going to LT.
If anything, and I hate to say this, put Wirfs at RT and Barton still at LT. That would be a better option according to how Wirf’s injury recovery reacts.
September 21st, 2025 at 2:11 am
Or do we plug Wirfs in at his old right tackle spot, count on him to help out whoever is at right guard, and let the left side be, counting on the relative stability to improve their teamwork?
September 21st, 2025 at 2:14 am
Sorry, Medifax, I did not see your comment until I had already posted my own. “Great minds think alike”, I guess .
September 21st, 2025 at 2:53 am
Barton has NOT been good at tackle. He’s getting owned on outside speed rushes. He’s got two games of tape to prove it and any DE he faces from here on out will exploit that. We need to get guys back in their best positions asap.
September 21st, 2025 at 2:54 am
You guys can’t be serious. Barton’s been a libality at left tackle, allowing 2 sacks, 2 hits and 10 pressures. And there’s nothing more important than protecting a player’s blindside. No, put Wirfs back in at LT.
September 21st, 2025 at 2:57 am
Yes to Barton at LT and Wirfs at RT until Goedeke returns.
September 21st, 2025 at 3:00 am
Well, Luke Goedeke isn’t coming back for *at least* a month.
Cody Mauch ain’t coming back (until 2026 season).
Is Graham Barton a better option at tackle than Charlie Heck? Bucs coaches apparently think so.
September 21st, 2025 at 4:33 am
Will the repaired knee hold up ok at right tackle ? That right side tackle position may put more strain on that knee.
September 21st, 2025 at 5:15 am
“Medically” ready and “game” ready are two different things.
I realize it’s the Eagles and in any game, consistency is key… especially on both the O and D lines.
How game-ready is Tristan going to be after missing an entire off-season and the first few games of the regular season?
Is he legitimately going to be able to play the entire game?
Would subbing or rotating Tristan and Graham with each other be a better scenario, even though it flies in the face of consistency? Leave Ben at Center, Charlie at RT and whoever the guards are.
The trenches are the one place where things get physical on every single play of the game.
A lot has been said the past couple of years about how the Eagles have been winning in no small part due to their O and D lines.
I’m not saying subbing or rotating Tristan and Graham with each other is an ideal solution.
I’m just wondering out loud if Tristan will really be ready to play the entire game, and what the ideal solution would be.
September 21st, 2025 at 6:16 am
Been thinking a lot about Chukwuma lately. He’s raw, but looked to have potential in the pre-season. Would not be surprised to see him suddenly thrust into the lineup as Jordan was. We’d never know until it happens, just like the curve ball Licht & Bowles threw at the Falcons.
September 21st, 2025 at 6:23 am
If we beat the jets I would give them both the extra week off ,,, I wonder if Barton can play guard ,, Ben seems to be more than holding his own at Center ,, LT: Tristan, LG MJ/Ben/GB, Center Ben/GB, RG Ben/GB/MJ, RT Charlie ( give him a few games to get better )
September 21st, 2025 at 6:48 am
Barton has played LT with honor and an effort that should make anyone proud. But he is not an NFL L/RT. Get three people back where they belong and help out the right side until LG gets back.
September 21st, 2025 at 7:42 am
The answer will be based on how well Charlie Heck plays at RT today. If can can hold down the right side, LT Wirfs, RG Bredesen, C Barton, RG ???, RT Heck. Hey Joe, any word on Alijah Klein?
September 21st, 2025 at 7:43 am
BTW, has anyone even seen Godwin in pads?
September 21st, 2025 at 7:51 am
I think switching Barton would be a mistake. But then again I was wrong about woving him out to LT. Soo… In Carberry we trust. RG? Klein? Opeta?
Go Bucs!
September 21st, 2025 at 7:59 am
Sure would like to see Chuk worked into the mix somehow.
September 21st, 2025 at 8:22 am
I remember thinking $22 million for Bredeson was WAAAYYY too much. This dude is a savior, one of the best centers in the league through the first two games
September 21st, 2025 at 8:58 am
My first reaction is to put the left side to it’s original set, LT Wirfs, LG Bredesen, C Barton as was last year. My only question is can Jordon play well on the right side? If that can hold up until Luke gets back with no more injuries we could be very good, I just don’t know who in the wings might be better on the right side. Some have said Klein?
September 21st, 2025 at 9:00 am
Ditto Beej….
Bredeson is proving us wrong in a big way. Last year he was the weak link. This year, so far, he is the most consistent OL player we’ve had…..
I want to see Chukwuma play some live snaps while both of our starting tackles are out… Let him alternate series with Heck… or at least get him a couple/few snaps as a 6th blocker lined up tight as a TE in short yardage situations.
I think Chukwuma is the best option at RT until Goedeke gets back – but he needs some live snaps to prove it…..
C’mon Charlie Heck – level up like Bredeson did and prove me wrong again!
September 21st, 2025 at 9:15 am
The Bucs do have options next week. It will be interesting to see what the team decides to do. Chances are they keep Heck at RT and Wirfs, Barton, and Bredeson move back to their regular positions. We’ll see.
September 21st, 2025 at 9:56 am
I’d throw in my 2 cents except….damned if I know. If the Bucs coaches come up with some stew of options or other that works ….that would be genuinely amazing. The problems the bucs are dealing are so far above a fans pay grade its comical.
Good Luck and I hope we pull it off.
September 21st, 2025 at 10:04 am
Not holding my breath that Godwin will play, but will hold my breath when he finally does play
September 21st, 2025 at 10:07 am
Bredeson and Barton should go back to regular spots. They’ll have one excellent side. Something to gameplan with, at least. Klein and whoever on right side. Give the rookie a chance, or Heck I guess. They can be all right.
September 21st, 2025 at 10:25 am
Depending how this season pans out, Carberry may be the next coordinator we lose to a HC offer
September 21st, 2025 at 10:34 am
You put one of the top 3 LTs at LT.
Return Barton to center Bredeson to G and shore up the Right side as much as you can… did it last year. IMHO.
September 21st, 2025 at 10:57 am
Geez, ChiBuc, don’t hex us! Man, am I SICK and TIRED of this OC Circus?! Agree with you on CG14. I sure hope he has learned just how dirty secondary guys can play. He needs to watch his legs, and quit sticking his neck out. He’s a great receiver and team guy. Just stick to that, Chris, please!!! Signed, one of your most loyal fans.
September 21st, 2025 at 11:20 am
ChiBuc
IKR?
Chris is such a great dude and a great player.
September 21st, 2025 at 11:36 am
Don’t rush them!!!!
GO BUCS
September 21st, 2025 at 12:05 pm
Wow, if Chris is ready that is great news. Wirfs can be both tackles if needdd depends on who is the best option going up against the Eagles. This is I h needed news. Don’t remember Brooks, Barber, Sapp, Nickerson, Lynch, Rice being out as much as the players today
September 21st, 2025 at 12:17 pm
No way. It made sense to move him to LT bc he played that in college. But a move to RT would be way too much. Stabilize the left side, and give help on the right. Heck can run block so we can go that way too.
September 21st, 2025 at 12:37 pm
Please don’t rush em back
September 21st, 2025 at 12:43 pm
Stoked to see these two play next week! God bless Chris Godwin! Biggest Chris Godwin fan!
September 21st, 2025 at 6:18 pm
I don’t think I’ve ever seen A TEAM have so many injuries too the legs & lower body on any level. And they NEVER QUIT,NEVER BACKED DOWN. NEVER GAVE UP. GOOOOO BUCS!!!!