On Thursday, Head Coach Todd Bowles confirmed that both wide receiver and left tackle Tristan Wirfs will be activated off the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Both will start the regular season on the 53-man roster and once activated, both Godwin and Wirfs can return to practice to begin the ramp-up process to game action.
Both began training camp on PUP and spent the offseason workout program rehabbing. Wirfs underwent knee surgery and Godwin continued his recovery process from the dislocated ankle suffered in Week Seven of the 2024 season against the Ravens. Wirfs was a first-team Associated Press All-Pro selection in 2024, becoming the first player in NFL history earn that honor at both left and right tackle. He anchors the Bucs' offensive line and Godwin is the team's versatile slot weapon. At the time of his injury in 2024, Godwin led the NFL in receptions (50), receiving first downs (33) and was second in receiving yards (576). Bowles stated that both Godwin and Wirfs must "get in football shape," but the activation is a positive step towards the pair's highly-anticipated return.
In 2024, Wirfs totaled 909 offensive snaps through Week 17, and per Pro Football Focus (PFF) metrics, yielded just one quarterback hit and 10 pressures, while not surrendering a single sack across 15 games played. PFF credited Wirfs with a 93.2 pass-blocking grade in 2024 – the highest among any qualified offensive lineman. Among all qualified tackles with 850-plus offensive snaps in 2024, Wirfs ranked fifth with an 84.0 overall offensive grade, per PFF. Wirfs also owns the lowest quarterback pressure rate (4.3%) and lowest one-on-one pressure rate (4.8%) among players with 500-plus pass-blocking snaps played last season, per the NFL's Next Gen Stats. Prior to his injury, Godwin was on pace for a career-best campaign and the YAC-phenom will bolster the offense when he steps back on the field.
