All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs nearing a return to the field sparks optimism for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Wirfs had arthroscopic knee surgery in July and started the year off the reserve/physically unable to perform list, an indication that he could potentially resume game action before Week Five. He practiced in a limited fashion last week and the team will see how he progresses. Head Coach Todd Bowles confirmed that a final decision regarding his status for Sunday will be made later in the week, depending on how his body responds.
"I feel good," said Wirfs. "Been doing a lot of conditioning. It sucks but it feels good to be in a good spot physically."
With Wirfs sidelined and both starting right guard Cody Mauch and starting right tackle Luke Goedeke on injured reserve, the Bucs were forced to do some shuffling on the line. Starting center Graham Barton played left tackle for the third-straight game and second-year player Elijah Klein made his first NFL start at left guard. Ben Bredeson, typically the left guard, stayed at center for the third straight game against the Jets and Luke Haggard, who was promoted from the practice squad, played right guard in his debut to NFL action. Additionally, veteran Charlie Heck made his first start at right tackle and when Wirfs is at full strength, some of those position changes will likely be shifted once again. If he takes over his spot at left tackle, Barton could move back to center and Bredeson back to left guard.
Back in practice, Wirfs has been knocking the rust off and getting back into a rhythm of pass sets going up against the Bucs' pass rushers. Reflecting on the offseason where he experienced excruciating pain to now being at full health, Wirfs has newfound gratitude.
"It was almost a relief knowing there was something there and that I wasn't going crazy and that was causing this," described Wirfs. "Again, [I was] frustrated about the timing but really glad it got fixed and it is crazy now being pain free compared to the entire offseason where I could not go up and down stairs…To feel how I feel now is awesome."
Wirfs finished the 2024 regular season with the 2nd-lowest pressure rate allowed (4.7%) among left tackles with at least 200 pass block snaps, down from the 8.0% pressure rate he recorded in 2023. He did not allow a single pressure in four games last season, the only player at his position to do so (min. 25 pass block snaps). Wirfs became the first-ever first-team All-Pro at right and left tackle, garnering recognition for his elite play in the trenches. His return will bolster the Bucs' offensive line.
