Tristan Wirfs Knee Surgery Sidelines Buccaneers Tackle for 2025 Season Start

As reported by various sources, Tristan Wirfs, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive tackle, underwent a minor surgical procedure on his right knee and is projected to be unavailable for the commencement of the 2025 NFL season.

Sources indicate that Wirfs was experiencing persistent discomfort in his knee, prompting the team’s decision to address the matter proactively, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

This development presents a significant challenge for the Buccaneers, who will now begin the 2025 season without one of their most impactful offensive contributors. The significance of Wirfs to the team cannot be overstated. The 26-year-old has earned four Pro Bowl selections and is fresh off his second All-Pro campaign. According to PFF’s analysis, he was ranked as the ninth-best tackle overall in 2024 and was recognized as the premier pass-blocking tackle in the league.

The team has seldom competed without Wirfs in the lineup since his arrival in the NFL in 2020. Throughout his five-year tenure, he has been absent for only four games.

Adapting to the absence of Wirfs could prove challenging, particularly for quarterback Baker Mayfield. Having a dependable left tackle such as Wirfs safeguarding his blind side has undoubtedly contributed to Mayfield’s resurgence with the Buccaneers. Since joining the team, Mayfield has accumulated 69 touchdown passes and 26 interceptions over the course of two seasons. He has garnered Pro Bowl recognition in both seasons.

Mayfield is certainly deserving of acknowledgment for revitalizing his career trajectory, although it is likely beneficial that he has an All-Pro anchoring the most crucial position on the offensive line.

Following four consecutive NFC South division titles, the Buccaneers will once again commence the year with aspirations of reaching the playoffs. The team will encounter early tests, as they are slated to face the Atlanta Falcons, a divisional rival, in Week 1, followed by a matchup against the formidable Houston Texans in Week 2.

Based on Schefter’s report, it is improbable that Wirfs will participate in either of these contests, underscoring the importance for the Buccaneers to discover a means to maintain a high level of offensive performance right from the start without Wirfs.