Buccaneers’ Tristan Wirfs to miss time with crushing injury

The Buccaneers will likely be without one of their top players to open the NFL regular season in September.

All-Pro offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs underwent surgery on his right knee Tuesday and is expected to begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

While Wirfs missed just one game last season, he was consistently battling a knee injury. He then reaggravated the injury this offseason and was forced to only participate in a limited fashion at OTAs and minicamp while wearing a brace on his injured knee.

Wirfs was set for an arthroscopic procedure Tuesday when some additional minor damage was found in the knee, according to the report.

If Wirfs does begin the season on the PUP list, he will be required to miss at least the first four games of the campaign.

Wirfs started at left tackle, protecting Baker Mayfield’s ever-important blindside for Tampa Bay last season. 

The 26-year-old’s stellar season earned him his fourth Pro Bowl appearance and third All-Pro honor in five seasons with the Buccaneers after being drafted with the 13th pick in the 2020 draft out of Iowa. His All-Pro nod was his second as a First-Teamer.

Wirfs has been a model of consistency throughout his entire Tampa Bay tenure, as he’s only played less than 16 games in a season one time in his five-year career, playing in 13 games in 2022. He was also a starter on the Tom Brady-led Super Bowl-winning 2021 team.

If Wirfs misses time, Charlie Heck is expected to fill in after joining the Buccaneers as a free agent from the 49ers this offseason.

Heck is also a 2020 draftee, as the North Carolina product was selected in the fourth round by the Texans.

The 28-year-old has been no more than a spot starter so far in his career.