Well, well, well, the Bucs find themselves right where they've been almost all season: injured and on the wrong side of a close game. The latest casualty? None other than left tackle Tristan Wirfs, whose knee got rolled up late in the second quarter of Sunday’s tight, 23-20 loss to the 49ers. The only good news here? Turns out, it’s "only" an MCL sprain—so no need to cancel the season just yet.
According to Ian Rapoport from NFL Network, Wirfs’ MRI showed an MCL sprain, which typically sidelines a player for a few weeks rather than months. Head coach Todd Bowles even put an optimistic spin on things, calling it a “low-grade knee sprain” and saying Wirfs is week-to-week. So, in the Bucs’ never-ending injury saga, this could be considered a win.
It’s easy to think back to last season when injuries like these felt like the final nail in the coffin each week. But this year, Tampa fans can (cautiously) hope for a happier ending. Wirfs didn’t need the cart, which is always a good sign, and with the bye week coming up, this injury might feel like a mini-bye for him. If all goes as planned, Wirfs might miss just the next two games and could rejoin the lineup in Week 14 for the Raiders matchup. Tampa’s offense desperately needs him back for the playoff push—or, at least, for whatever they’re calling a push this year.
Until then, it’s Justin Skule’s time in the spotlight, taking over left tackle duties and facing the lovely challenge of keeping Baker Mayfield safe against the likes of Brian Burns and Azeez Ojulari. Skule already filled in admirably (after that Detroit debacle) when right tackle Luke Goedeke was out with a concussion earlier this season, so he’s no stranger to filling big shoes on short notice. But given how Tampa’s luck has gone with injuries, fans may want to cross their fingers that he can stay healthy.
All things considered, losing Wirfs now isn’t ideal, especially with must-win games lining the schedule. But at least this injury isn’t a season-ender—and for a Bucs fan this season, that alone is something to celebrate.
Well, well, well, the Bucs find themselves right where they've been almost all season: injured and on the wrong side of a close game. The latest casualty? None other than left tackle Tristan Wirfs, whose knee got rolled up late in the second quarter of Sunday’s tight, 23-20 loss to the 49ers. The only good news here? Turns out, it’s "only" an MCL sprain—so no need to cancel the season just yet.
According to Ian Rapoport from NFL Network, Wirfs’ MRI showed an MCL sprain, which typically sidelines a player for a few weeks rather than months. Head coach Todd Bowles even put an optimistic spin on things, calling it a “low-grade knee sprain” and saying Wirfs is week-to-week. So, in the Bucs’ never-ending injury saga, this could be considered a win.
It’s easy to think back to last season when injuries like these felt like the final nail in the coffin each week. But this year, Tampa fans can (cautiously) hope for a happier ending. Wirfs didn’t need the cart, which is always a good sign, and with the bye week coming up, this injury might feel like a mini-bye for him. If all goes as planned, Wirfs might miss just the next two games and could rejoin the lineup in Week 14 for the Raiders matchup. Tampa’s offense desperately needs him back for the playoff push—or, at least, for whatever they’re calling a push this year.
Until then, it’s Justin Skule’s time in the spotlight, taking over left tackle duties and facing the lovely challenge of keeping Baker Mayfield safe against the likes of Brian Burns and Azeez Ojulari. Skule already filled in admirably (after that Detroit debacle) when right tackle Luke Goedeke was out with a concussion earlier this season, so he’s no stranger to filling big shoes on short notice. But given how Tampa’s luck has gone with injuries, fans may want to cross their fingers that he can stay healthy.
All things considered, losing Wirfs now isn’t ideal, especially with must-win games lining the schedule. But at least this injury isn’t a season-ender—and for a Bucs fan this season, that alone is something to celebrate.
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