The Tampa Bay Buccaneers might be short a major piece of their offense to open the 2025 campaign.
All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs underwent knee surgery on Tuesday and will likely start the season on the physically unable to perform list, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday, per sources informed of the situation.
Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times first reported the news.
Starting the season on the PUP list would knock the star LT out at least four weeks.
Wirfs dealt with a right knee issue during the 2024 season but missed just one game. He was limited during offseason workouts while wearing a brace on the knee.
Losing the highest-paid offensive tackle in the NFL for the start of the season is a massive blow to the Bucs' offense. Wirfs has been a rock on Baker Mayfield's blind side the past two seasons. Wirfs started his career at right tackle before making the transition to the left side in 2023. The stud made a move that can be difficult look seamless.
In 2024, Mayfield's shield allowed zero sacks and just 13 QB pressures, per Pro Football Focus, the fewest of any OT in the NFL (minimum 600 snaps).
The Bucs signed 49ers free agent left tackle Charlie Heck, who is a candidate to replace Wirfs to start the season. However, any replacement would be a downgrade from the two-time first-team All-Pro.
Tampa opens the season at the Atlanta Falcons, at the Houston Texans, and home against the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles.
