Buccaneers' Tristan Wirfs: Will be week-to-week after bye
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Coach Todd Bowles said Monday that Wirfs (knee) will be week-to-week after the Buccaneers' bye in Week 11, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Wirfs underwent an MRI to examine the knee injury he sustained during Sunday's game versus the 49ers, but it fortunately returned as nothing more than a low-grade MCL sprain. If he does miss any game action as he recovers, Justin Skule would likely step into a starting role at one of Tampa Bay's tackle spots.
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Buccaneers' Tristan Wirfs: Tending to sprained MCL
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Wirfs was diagnosed with an MCL sprain following Sunday's game versus the 49ers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
It's a positive development for Wirfs, who may have had to miss the rest of the season if he'd instead torn his MCL in Week 10. He's not expected to miss more than a couple of games as he recovers, during which time Justin Skule would figure to step into a starting role on the Buccaneers' offensive line.
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Buccaneers' Tristan Wirfs: Dealing with possible MCL injury
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Wirfs potentially suffered an injury to his MCL on Sunday, and he'll have an MRI to determine the extent of the issue, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Wirfs has been ruled out from returning to Sunday's matchup against San Francisco, and his initial diagnosis suggests he could miss additional time. However, Rapoport notes that if the MCL injury is confirmed, it would mean that the All-Pro offensive tackle has a "likelihood" of returning this season. That could be huge for a Tampa Bay squad that still has playoff aspirations.
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Buccaneers' Tristan Wirfs: Won't return vs. San Francisco
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Wirfs (knee) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the 49ers, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Wirfs was immediately taken back to the locker room after suffering a knee injury in the first half. With Wirfs sidelined for the rest of Sunday's game, Justin Skule will remain at left tackle.
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Buccaneers' Tristan Wirfs: Suffers knee injury
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Wirfs is questionable to return after suffering a knee injury during Tampa Bay's matchup versus the Saints on Sunday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports of The Athletic reports.
Wirfs went down in the first half with a knee injury and was immediately taken to the locker room. The injury looks like it could be significant, and Justin Skule has now replaced Wirfs at left tackle.
Wirfs and the Buccaneers agreed Thursday on a five-year, $140.63 million contract extension, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.
Wirfs' extension includes $88.24 million guaranteed, the most for an offensive tackle in NFL history. The 25-year-old has certainly proven to be one of the league's top left tackles over his first four NFL seasons, earning three Pro Bowl nods as well as first- and second-team All-Pro selections in 2021 and 2022. Wirfs had been set to play the 2024 season under the $18.24 million fifth-year option on his rookie deal, but the long-term deal now keeps him on Tampa Bay's books through the 2029 campaign.
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Buccaneers' Tristan Wirfs: Skipping OTAs, awaits new contract
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Wirfs is not present Tuesday at OTAs and does not plan to return to team facilities any time soon, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Wirfs reportedly doesn't want to risk suffering an injury before signing a multi-year contract extension with the Buccaneers, as he's currently slated to play out the 2024 campaign on the fifth-year option from his rookie contract. That would provide Wirfs a fully guaranteed salary north of $18.2 million, but the three-time Pro Bowler is prioritizing long-term security. Tampa Bay has already locked up Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans and Antoine Winfield with new deals this offseason.
Wirfs (shoulder) was listed as a DNP at Wednesday's estimated practice, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
It's unclear when Wirfs picked up the shoulder issue, but his availability for Week 18 is now in doubt regardless. He'll likely have to practice Thursday or Friday to give himself a chance to suit up Sunday.
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Buccaneers' Tristan Wirfs: Adjusting well to new position
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Wirfs' acclimation to his new position of left tackle is going smoothly thus far in training camp, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports. "He's adjusted well over there, I think," head coach Todd Bowles said. "There's probably still some kinks he needs to work out, probably when we get in pads, from a hand-placement standpoint, but I think he's done an excellent job so far."
The 2020 first-round pick has already proven a success at right tackle over his first three seasons, earning two Pro Bowl selections and one All-Pro nod. He's now moving over to the opposite end of the line to replace the departed Donovan Smith and provide valuable blindside protection for either Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask this coming season, and although the Buccaneers have yet to don pads, Wirfs is displaying impressive technique thus far in drills.
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Buccaneers' Tristan Wirfs: Will work at LT this spring
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Wirfs could be the starting left tackle in 2023, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times also reported Monday that Wirfs would be making the switch to left tackle after the Bucs failed to address the spot during the 2023 NFL Draft. Stroud mentioned Luke Goedeke as an option to replace Wirfs at right tackle if the the two-time Pro Bowler did make the position change. However, general manager Jason Licht said in a radio interview Tuesday that the decision to move Wirfs is not "etched in stone," so for now, it appears he will simply be working on both sides of the line during offseason workouts.
The Buccaneers picked up Wirfs' fifth-year option Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
The option on Wirfs' rookie contract was picked up ahead of the May 1 deadline, and the 24-year-old now will be locked in with Tampa Bay through the 2024 season. The 2020 first-round pick should continue to serve as an anchor for the Buccaneers' offensive line and is in line for a big payday when this contract is up.