Report: “Little Bit Of Hope” Tristan Wirfs Can Play Week 1
July 27th, 2025
Tristan Wirfs
Joe’s not buying this, but gambling against All-World, All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs typically feels like a questionable move.
Wirfs is on crutches after knee surgery early this month. He’s not practicing and there’s no reason to think he’ll be in football shape in six weeks. And in case you don’t realize, “six weeks” is 42 days, and the Bucs’ opening-day kickoff in Atlanta.
Today, however, Sara Walsh of NFL Network was at Buccaneers training camp and reported this afternoon there’s “a little bit of hope” at One Buc Palace that Wirfs can play Week 1.
Joe thinks the Bucs are far too smart to rush Wirfs back. Not only has the offense played well without Wirfs previously, it should be able to survive and adapt with a backup in his place temporarily. Wirfs is a franchise cornerstone young player. Medical games are not going to happen with him.
Will Wirfs be placed on the regular-season physically unable to perform list? The PUP list?
That would force Wirfs, per league rules, to miss the first four games. But it also would force Wirfs to miss various team activities that would include walk-through sessions — aka stuff that would affect Wirfs’ game-readiness for Week 4.
So barring a setback, Joe finds it hard to believe Wirfs lands on that PUP list.
And Joe wouldn’t bet against Wirfs playing in Week 4 at home against the Eagles. But Week 1 on the radar? Nahh. Makes no sense.
July 27th, 2025 at 1:12 pm
Don’t rush him back!
He needs to rest!
July 27th, 2025 at 1:16 pm
Yeah not sure why, if he just had surgery, he would be even a thought for week one. Let him rest, we will need him come November
July 27th, 2025 at 1:28 pm
Tristan is too valuable to rush back.
I wasn’t aware that being on the PUP list forces a player to miss other activities such as the walk-throughs.
I may have to rethink being in favor of putting him on it.
Either way, our back up O-linemen need to step up.
July 27th, 2025 at 1:31 pm
Yet some clowns that post on here seem to think he’ll miss months of the season…when most reports we read it’s just week 1.
Calm down clowns.
July 27th, 2025 at 1:31 pm
Of course getting the best Tackle back in the Lineup is a ideal thing for Week #1 but its a long season. Whatever is best for him is most important.
This team is loaded this year like none other there is reason for optimism.
(Yes, I know the Putrid Pass Defense that couldn’t get off the field on 3rd downs).
If that gets fixed-we are in the mix. Go Bucs!!
July 27th, 2025 at 1:43 pm
I’m sure they’re already planning for Wirfs’ absence, both scheme-wise and extra protection on that side of the ball. I think it’s safe to say Heck is not as good as Wirfs, but he may be an adequate temporary replacement. Good and Wirfs-good are two different things. There aren’t many, if any, Wirfs-good in the NFL.
July 27th, 2025 at 1:53 pm
If anymore can recover quicker than expected it’s Wirfs. He’s a freak
July 27th, 2025 at 1:53 pm
I am in favor of TW taking whatever time is needed to get back into football shape. Re-watched some 2024 Bucs games from last year and although the run blocking was terrific last year, the pass blocking needs to be improved. There wasn’t just one guy who was being victimized. Wirfs was always solid but there were plenty of pass blocking weak spots along the Oline that need to be shored up. Hopefully, offseason weight training will fix some of that.
July 27th, 2025 at 2:05 pm
Don’t rush him week 1 but he will be needed week 2. DO NOT need Hunter and Anderson teeing off vs Charlie Heck.
July 27th, 2025 at 2:18 pm
Saskbucs
On national television no less…
July 27th, 2025 at 2:29 pm
Target the home opener
July 27th, 2025 at 2:46 pm
If it was just arthro clean-up of scar tissue etc. and the MCL was never torn, I’d say it’s more likely than not he will be ready for week 1. He should be nearing 100% in the next few weeks.
July 27th, 2025 at 2:51 pm
@Gipper- just looking at the mammoth gains in size in people like Goedeke, Barton, and Cody Mauch I’d say it’s going to make a huge difference and they definitely pushed each other HARD this off-season! Look for our O-line to take the next step to a number 1 ranking this year.
July 27th, 2025 at 2:53 pm
Unfortunately, they may need to rush him. Could we potentially get a blow out going and then put on the breaks and throw in Trask and Heck for the rest of the game? Wirfs needs more rest, but we cannot afford to lose to the Falcons week one. This is going to be a tough season.
July 27th, 2025 at 2:59 pm
I hope Wirfs can come back soon.
Justin Skules did a good job playing back up tackle.
But he’s gone.
Charlie Heck is a very mid line tackle. Now, instead of just having Ben Bredeson to carry- there will be two weak links on that line.
Scary, because one man cannot be replaced on this team. One man that our Season depends on.
Baker Maryfield
Having his blindside in Heck and Bredeson hands gives me cold sweats
Great team this year. But we are thin at Offensive Tackle and Inside linebacker.
Hopefully they hold together.
July 27th, 2025 at 3:35 pm
lol! See ya week 5, Wirfs. And that’s OK. Godwin, we’ll see you next year. And that’s on Licht. Horrible signing.
July 27th, 2025 at 7:12 pm
I think they have a realistic target date of week 2, which makes sense. IF, and that’s a big if, he’s ready by week 1 ok, I trust the pro’s on this and Wirfs himself, he’s far too intelligent to risk a set back for week 1.
July 27th, 2025 at 7:13 pm
If he’s not ready or anything showing signs of needed rest.
July 27th, 2025 at 7:14 pm
And Joe I think Wirf’s could come out of hibernation game ready.
July 27th, 2025 at 8:55 pm
I’m on the side of not rushing Wirfs back , week 4 home against the eagles is good. The Bucs have no reason to panic & take any chances with a valued TEAM member.the Bucs got all preseason to get Heck ready & hopefully get a rotation RG up too speed also.
July 27th, 2025 at 10:01 pm
Jeff …who’s your sources? Seeing how you’re always making outlandish claims that never come true.
July 27th, 2025 at 10:51 pm
Ya well.
Matadors unleash the bulls. Not only does Michael’s Penix pass for 350 and 3TDs on 29/35, the Fowlclowns sack Baker 6 times.
Meanwhile Todd does nothing.
Let’s go Bucs!
July 28th, 2025 at 4:02 am
Agreed Joe. No need to rush with our All Pro.
We have options. It’s not the end of the world if he is just watching in Atlanta.
Go Bucs!
July 28th, 2025 at 4:20 am
Any word on how Klein is coming along? Using him at center or guard would help shore up the left side. Klein looks like a full size center and Barton looks like an all pro guard.
July 28th, 2025 at 10:56 am
I actually could deal with him missing the first 4 games…but…I can see him not being placed on pup if he is healed up by the first game and just needs to have a couple weeks of practice to get in shape.