Ahead of a major NFC showdown against the Eagles on Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally get some good news on the injury front. On Thursday, for the first time all season, Buccaneers All-Pro LT Tristan Wirfs practiced in full with no restrictions, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Wirfs underwent arthroscopic knee surgery back in July and was placed on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list entering training camp, but he was not placed on the list again once rosters were cut to 53 players before the start of the regular season. If he had, he would’ve been forced to miss at least the first four games of the season. Since he wasn’t, it indicated optimism from Tampa Bay’s side that he could return sooner.
And it looks like he will. Wirfs hasn’t been given an official game status for Sunday and won’t until after the conclusion of Friday’s practice, but the Buccaneers have indicated they want him to return this week, and this is good news pointing in that direction.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Have Been Decimated by Injuries
Mike Ehrmann/GettyTAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 05: Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs on to the field prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on January 05, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Getting Wirfs back this week, while huge in its own right, would merely stem the tide for the Bucs. They’ve had to deal with a deluge of injuries, especially on offense. Both Wirfs and WR Chris Godwin were out to start the season, though both could return this week. WR Jalen McMillan and ED David Bailey also started the season on Injured Reserve (IR).
In addition, they’ve lost RT Luke Goedeke, RG Cody Mauch, DT Calijah Kancey, WR Mike Evans, and backup RT Charlie Heck to significant in-season injuries. All those players have varying timelines on their returns from injury, but that is a long, long list of players out.
Despite Injury Issues, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 3-0
Yet, in spite of that massive injury list, the Buccaneers are 3-0 with a comfortable two-game lead in the NFC South. Bucs QB Baker Mayfield has been sensational, leading three straight game-winning drives to open the season. His poise, confidence, and leadership have been on full display to start the year.
It’s true that Tampa Bay has had to claw their way past some overmatched opponents in the Jets, and arguably the Falcons and Texans too. But winning games through so much adversity, no matter who your opponent is, is always important for championship teams.
In the coming weeks, Tampa Bay’s schedule will get much, much tougher. That starts this week against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles. That game is in Tampa and it’s a huge opportunity for the Bucs to make a statement.
But even after that, it doesn’t get any easier. They go on the road to face the surging Seahawks in Week 5, followed by games against the 49ers and in Detroit against the Lions. Those four teams, including the Eagles, are a combined 10-2 entering Week 4 action (the Seahawks play the Cardinals on Thursday Night Football). The Buccaneers’ season starts now.
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