The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are experiencing some unexpected turbulence ahead of the 2025 season. All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs will miss the start of the season after undergoing surgery on his right knee, according to CBS Sports senior NFL Insider Jonathan Jones.
Wirfs underwent arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday after he aggravated an injury that forced him to miss one game last season, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Additional damage was found at the time of the surgery, per the report.
While it’s unclear how much time he will miss, Wirfs is expected to begin the season on the Buccaneers’ physically able to perform list.
Jones called Wirfs’ situation an “unexpected offseason setback” for the Buccaneers, who will now have to find a suitable temporarily replacement at left tackle. Charlie Heck, a six-year NFL veteran with 23 career starts under his belt, is currently in line to start in place of Wirfs.
While they may find a temporary fix, losing Wirfs is still a significant blow for the Buccaneers. Wirfs, the 13th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, is a four-time Pro Bowler who earned his second career All-Pro berth in 2024. He recently came in at No. 20 on CBS Sports Senior Writer Pete Prisco’s annual list of the NFL’s top-100 players.
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield will likely be the player most impacted by Wirf’s absence. Wirfs protects Mayfield’s blind side after all, and he has given the former No. 1 overall pick stellar protection since they became teammates back in 2023.
Mayfield, like the rest of his teammates, will now have to make the necessary adjustments to weather Wirf’s absence, however long it lasts.
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Author: Bryan DeArdo
July 9, 2025 | 11:36 am
