Tag: Wirfs

Oct 21, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) is pressured by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Bucs’ Baker Mayfield, Chris Godwin, Tristan Wirfs active vs. Eagles

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, left tackle Tristan Wirfs and wide receiver Chris Godwin are active for Sunday’s game against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles.

Mayfield, who has been dealing with a right biceps injury throughout the week, has started every game this season for the Buccaneers (3-0).

That is not the case for Godwin and Wirfs, who will be making their season debuts. Godwin worked his way back from a fractured ankle sustained in a Week 7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last season, while Wirfs had knee surgery in July.

All three players had been listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.

The return of Godwin should help the Bucs recover from the loss of star receiver Mike Evans, who will be out multiple weeks with a hamstring injury, and tight end Ko Kieft (leg), who was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday.

In addition to Evans and Kieft, defensive lineman C.J. Brewers, safety Christian Izien, cornerback Kindle Vildor and running back Josh Williams are inactive for the Buccaneers.

The Eagles (3-0) listed Sam Howell (third quarterback), wide receiver Xavier Gipson, cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, center/guard Drew Kindall and linebacker Azeez Ojulari as inactive.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) looks to pass against the New York Jets in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Report: Bucs’ Baker Mayfield (biceps) expected to play vs. Eagles

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, limited in practice this week, is expected to play on Sunday against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles, ESPN reported Saturday.

And valuable members of his supporting cast likely will be joining him.

Per ESPN, Mayfield (right biceps) will start, with wide receiver Chris Godwin (ankle) and left tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee) expected to make their season debuts. Both took part in a full practice on Friday. All three had been listed as questionable.

The return of Godwin should help the Bucs recover from the loss of star receiver Mike Evans, who will be out multiple weeks with a hamstring injury, and tight end Ko Kieft (leg), who was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday.

Both the Eagles and Buccaneers will take the field in Tampa on Sunday with 3-0 records, leading the NFC East and South divisions, respectively.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) runs for a touchdown as Houston Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter (4) defends during the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Bucs list WR Emeka Egbuka questionable; Chris Godwin, Tristan Wirfs out vs. Jets

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka practiced with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the first time this week on Friday and is ready to suit up for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.

Head coach Todd Bowles said Egbuka officially will be listed as questionable. Left tackle Tristan Wirfs and wide receiver Chris Godwin are out but both circled Week 4 as a targeted return date.

Egbuka was listed as a non-participant due to hip and groin injuries in the team’s first two practices of the week. The Bucs improved to 2-0 at Houston on Monday night.

The 19th overall pick in April, Egbuka has made an immediate impact for the Buccaneers. He hauled in two touchdown passes in his Week 1 debut and snagged another in Monday’s win. He has eight catches for 96 yards in his first two games.

The Buccaneers receiver room already is thinned. Godwin practiced Friday but he’s working his way back from the dislocated ankle that ended his 2024 season last October. Second-year wide receiver Jalen McMillan is on short-term injured reserve after exploding for 24 receptions and seven TD catches in the final five games last season.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers guard Cody Mauch (69) looks on before their game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Eamon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Bucs sign two OL, RG Cody Mauch (knee) headed to IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting right guard Cody Mauch sustained a season-ending knee injury in Monday’s victory over the Houston Texans and will be placed on injured reserve Thursday.

Mauch was able to finish the game for the Buccaneers (2-0), who are now without three starting offensive linemen entering Sunday’s contest against the visiting New York Jets (0-2).

Injuries were the prevailing storyline at One Buc Place on Thursday.

Rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka missed practice after not participating on Wednesday due to hip and groin injuries. The first-round pick has three touchdown receptions in two games, filling the production missed with Chris Godwin working back from a 2024 ankle injury. Godwin is doing some individual drills at practice but isn’t ready for a full workload.

Wide receiver isn’t the only position hurting.

Tampa Bay also lost right tackle Luke Goedeke to a foot injury Monday, while All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs is still working his way back after having knee surgery in July. Wirfs returned to practice last week as a limited participant but is considered unlikely to return this week.

Veteran guard Sua Opeta signed to the practice squad on Thursday and the Bucs signed Dan Feeney off of the Bills’ practice squad. Opeta was competing to be a starter in Tampa Bay’s 2024 training camp when he suffered a torn ACL. He returned to camp with the team in August but was released.

The Buccaneers have been using a makeshift offensive line with starting center Graham Barton shuffling to left tackle, traditional left guard Ben Bredeson — who edged out Opeta last summer — moving to center and Michael Jordan getting the start at left guard. Charlie Heck replaced Goedeke after the latter was injured on Monday.

Mauch, 26, has started all 39 of Tampa Bay’s games (including playoffs) since being selected by the Buccaneers in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Oct 21, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) celebrates a first down against the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Bucs to activate WR Chris Godwin, LT Tristan Wirfs off PUP list

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers plan to activate wide receiver Chris Godwin and left tackle Tristan Wirfs off the active/physically unable to perform list and place both on the 53-man roster to start the season, coach Todd Bowles said Thursday.

While that’s positive news for both players, Bowles was quick to temper the excitement.

“(Godwin’s) got to get in football shape and everything else, so I wouldn’t expect him to play early on,” Bowles said. “… He’s been out a long time, he’s got to get in football shape. Tristan, the same way. But they’ll be off and we’ll see how it goes going forward.”

Godwin, 29, is coming back from a fractured ankle sustained in Tampa Bay’s Week 7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last season. He wrapped up 2024 with 50 receptions for 576 yards and five touchdowns and signed a three-year, $66 million contract to return to Tampa Bay this offseason.

Across 111 career games with the Bucs, Godwin has racked up 579 catches for 7,266 yards and 39 TDs, along with two rushing scores. He made the Pro Bowl in 2019.

Wirfs, 26, also is expected to miss the start of the season after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery last month.

A four-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time first-team All-Pro, Wirfs started 16 games in 2024 and has started all 79 of his games since Tampa Bay drafted him 13th overall in 2020. Wirfs signed a five-year, $140.6 million extension last August.

–Field Level Media

Oct 13, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) runs in for a touchdown during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Bucs place WR Chris Godwin, LT Tristan Wirfs on PUP list

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Star wide receiver Chris Godwin and left tackle Tristan Wirfs were among the five players the Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed on the active/physically unable to perform list at the outset of training camp Tuesday.

Players who are placed on the PUP list during the summer can be activated from it at any moment. If a player starts the season on the PUP list, he must miss at least four games.

The Buccaneers had previously confirmed Wirfs, 26, had arthroscopic surgery this month on his right knee following an injury last season. The team said he was expected to miss training camp and the preseason.

A four-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time first-team All-Pro, Wirfs started 16 games in 2024 and has started all 79 of his games since Tampa Bay drafted him 13th overall in 2020. Wirfs signed a five-year, $140.6 million extension last August.

Godwin, meanwhile, finished the 2024 season on injured reserve due to ankle surgery. He signed a three-year, $66 million contract to return to Tampa Bay this offseason, but he has not yet begun participating in team activities.

In his eighth NFL season (all with Tampa Bay) in 2024, Godwin caught 50 passes for 576 yards and five touchdowns. Across 111 career games, Godwin has racked up 579 catches for 7,266 yards and 39 TDs, along with two rushing scores.

The Bucs also placed offensive tackle Silas Dzansi, guard Sua Opeta and backup quarterback Michael Pratt on the PUP list. Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. was placed on the active/non-football injury list, and nose tackle Desmond Watson will start camp on the active/non-football illness list.

–Field Level Media

Sep 22, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (78) warms up before a game against the Denver Broncos at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Report: Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs (knee) to miss start of season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Buccaneers will be without All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs to start the season, ESPN reported Wednesday.

Wirfs, 26, had arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday on the right knee he injured last season, per multiple reports.

Wirfs will have to miss at least four games if he begins the campaign on the physically unable to perform list.

A four-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time first-team All-Pro, Wirfs started 16 games in 2024 and has started all 79 of his games since Tampa Bay drafted him 13th overall in 2020.

Wirfs signed a five-year, $140.6 million extension last August. He carries a $11.5 million cap hit in 2025, a figure that jumps to $36.3 million in 2026.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (78) celebrates after beating the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Bucs pick up OT Tristan Wirfs’ 5th-year option

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers picked up the fifth-year option on offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs on Monday, multiple media outlets reported.

Wirfs, who is set to earn $2.8 million this year, will receive $18.24 million in 2024.

The move comes one week before the deadline for teams to pick up the fifth-year option on 2020 draftees. The 2023 draft is set to begin Thursday.

Wirfs, 24, was named a Pro Bowler each of the past two seasons, and he made first-team All-Pro in 2021.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, Wirfs has been beaten for only five sacks in 3,186 snaps as the Buccaneers’ right tackle. He has been called for just 10 penalties.

He started every game for Tampa Bay in 2020, when the team won the Super Bowl. Wirfs again started every regular-season game the following year, but he missed four games late in the 2022 campaign due to an ankle injury.

The Buccaneers reportedly might move Wirfs to left tackle after they released Donovan Smith.

Tampa Bay selected Wirfs 13th overall in 2020 out of Iowa.

–Field Level Media

Nov 27, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (78) rides off the field after being injured during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Bucs RT Tristan Wirfs dodges major injury, could return by Christmas

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Buccaneers Pro Bowl offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs avoided major injury and could be back on the field by Christmas, NFL Network and FOX reported on Monday.

Wirfs left the stadium in a walking boot to protect his injured left ankle, and tests cleared the massive right tackle of any concern of a knee injury, NFL Network reported.

Early projections for his return are 3-4 weeks, per reports.

The Buccaneers (5-6) play the Saints (4-8), 49ers (7-4) and Bengals (7-4) before a Christmas night game at Arizona (4-8).

Tampa Bay has survived a rash of injuries to the offensive line that began in training camp with center Ryan Jensen (knee).

Teammates feared a significant injury when Wirfs was helped to his locker by trainers following a loss to the Cleveland Browns.

Wirfs logged 68 snaps — 99 percent of the team total — against Cleveland.

–Field Level Media

Feb 4, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs during NFC practice at the Las Vegas Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Bucs OT Tristan Wirfs exits practice with injury

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs sustained an apparent core muscle injury during Thursday’s joint practice with the Tennessee Titans, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Wirfs was taken off the field following a pass rush drill. The severity of the injury was not immediately known.

Wirfs, 23, started all 33 games in his first two seasons at right tackle. A first-round pick in 2020, he was voted first-team All-Pro in 2021.

The Bucs already are without Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen, who is dealing with a left knee injury.

Jensen, 31, was selected to his first Pro Bowl last season after starting all 17 games for the Bucs. He has not missed a start since the 2016 season.

He has competed in 100 regular season games (90 starts) and seven playoff games (six starts) with the Baltimore Ravens (2014-17) and Buccaneers. Baltimore drafted him in the sixth round in 2013 and he won a Super Bowl championship with Tampa Bay.

–Field Level Media