Todd Bowles Does Not Rule Out Tristan Wirfs For Scrimmages With Jets
August 7th, 2026
“Luke, even with a bum hamstring, I can block those stiffs with the Jets.”
We have wrapped up eight practices of Bucs training camp 2026 and without Tristan Wirfs snapping on a chin strap.
The All-Pro left tackle suffered a hamstring injury in conditioning tests prior to the start of training camp. Periodically, Wirfs will be seen at practice but not suited up.
That could change next week in New Jersey.
The Bucs have one practice at One Buc Palace on Sunday and then the team will fly to Newark to hold controlled scrimmages with the Jets, followed by a game a week from tonight.
KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles was asked if Wirfs might make the trip or even get on a practice field in Florham Park, home of the J-E-T-S Jets, Jets, Jets.
“If he’s healthy, I would like to work him back in,” Bowles said. “It doesn’t matter how much.”
But Bowles cautioned “working him in” doesn’t mean a full practice for Wirfs is on the horizon.
“We’re not just going to throw him in there and give him a bunch of reps,” Bowles said. “We will see how he looks in individual [drills] and we will go from there.”
Joe hopes it is not too much longer before Wirfs gets on the field, and not just as a spectator. Wirfs missed the first three games of the 2025 season after offseason knee surgery. Joe doesn’t think he ever looked fully right.
And that’s what Joe is fearful of with Wirfs. If he misses a game or two to begin the season, or if he is rushed back and has a setback, he may have to deal with a lingering hamstring all season.
August 7th, 2026 at 11:52 am
As long as he’s ready to play.
It’s far more important to make sure Wirfs hamstring is healed than getting him reps in individual drills. He’s the 2nd most important player on the team, I’d rather have him at 100% when he gets there than having him deal with a nagging injury all season. If needed I believe Chukwuma could handle whatever the Bengals throw at the Bucs in week 1.
August 7th, 2026 at 11:56 am
We need Wirfs back like, yesterday, man. Every snap Bain takes against Luke Goedeke instead of Wirfs is a lost oppotrunity. That’s not a slam on Luke. It’s just a testament to the greatness we have a LT.
August 7th, 2026 at 12:20 pm
I hope they are being overly cautious. I hate to see him start out the season like last year.
August 7th, 2026 at 1:09 pm
DAMN this sucks!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
August 7th, 2026 at 3:15 pm
Agreed, Joe.
We all want Tristan back on the field as soon as possible.
But, slow and steady wins this race.
No rush. No hurry.
August 7th, 2026 at 3:22 pm
Yeah no hurry Joe.
August 7th, 2026 at 5:17 pm
Please tell me they are not dumb enough to put him on a plane to NY for a couple practices.
August 7th, 2026 at 5:57 pm
Not worried about Wirfs, he’ll be ready day 1 regardless of practice time