The Buccaneers will possible be with out one in every of their prime gamers to open the NFL common season in September.
All-Professional offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs underwent surgical procedure on his proper knee Tuesday and is anticipated to start the season on the Bodily Unable to Carry out listing, in keeping with the Tampa Bay Occasions.
Whereas Wirfs missed only one sport final season, he was constantly battling a knee damage. He then reaggravated the damage this offseason and was pressured to solely take part in a restricted vogue at OTAs and minicamp whereas sporting a brace on his injured knee.
Wirfs was set for an arthroscopic process Tuesday when some further minor injury was discovered within the knee, in keeping with the report.
If Wirfs does start the season on the PUP listing, he can be required to overlook at the least the primary 4 video games of the marketing campaign.
Wirfs began at left deal with, defending Baker Mayfield’s ever-important blindside for Tampa Bay final season.
The 26-year-old’s stellar season earned him his fourth Professional Bowl look and third All-Professional honor in 5 seasons with the Buccaneers after being drafted with the thirteenth decide within the 2020 draft out of Iowa. His All-Professional nod was his second as a First-Teamer.
Wirfs has been a mannequin of consistency all through his complete Tampa Bay tenure, as he’s solely performed lower than 16 video games in a season one time in his five-year profession, taking part in in 13 video games in 2022. He was additionally a starter on the Tom Brady-led Tremendous Bowl-winning 2021 staff.
If Wirfs misses time, Charlie Heck is anticipated to fill in after becoming a member of the Buccaneers as a free agent from the 49ers this offseason.
Heck can also be a 2020 draftee, because the North Carolina product was chosen within the fourth spherical by the Texans.
The 28-year-old has been not more than a spot starter up to now in his profession.
