On Wednesday morning, the news broke that Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs recently underwent a knee scope and is expected to start the 2025 season on the PUP list. The move will ensure that Wirfs will miss at least the first four games of the season with the expectation that he’d return better than ever to play the remaining 13 (or more) games.
#Bucs All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs is a strong candidate to start year on PUP after undergoing a knee scope, per sources.
Wirfs wants to get this done now so he can be available for much of the season. @NFLSTROUD first on the news. PUP would cost him at least four games. pic.twitter.com/kLiCi3O9G6
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 9, 2025
Behind Wirfs on the depth chart is Charlie Heck, a 28-year old former fourth-round pick out of North Carolina. At 6’8 and 311 pounds, Heck has the size and length to hold down the blindside, but the Bucs will obviously be giving up a ton of power and experience on the left side of the line, especially in the ground game.
If Heck can hold up in pass protection well enough, the Bucs and their passing game should be able to carry the load through the first month of the season. They drafted former Ohio State wideout Emeka Egbuka to add to their already-stacked position group, so there should be no shortage of talent to throw to.
Here’s to a speedy recovery for Wirfs!