Atlanta Falcons' remade position group poised to catch early break amid rival's crushing injury news

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Kyle Crabbs | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 2:47 PM ET

The opportunity to start fast is always a key piece of any given NFL season. You don't want to have the stress of falling behind stacking up on top of the rigors of prepping for matchups. The Atlanta Falcons just caught their first big break in their bid to start fast in 2025.

The Falcons are a team with a whole lot of new in key places this season — they'll have a new quarterback behind center, they'll have a new group of pass rushers attacking opposing quarterbacks, too. The Falcons' infusion of young talent on the edge is set to face a couple of steep tests right off the bat, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings opening up the schedule.

But that Bucs game in Week 1 is looking a little bit different today after this morning's news that Tampa Bay's star left tackle, Tristan Wirfs, has undergone knee surgery.

Wirfs set to miss the opening week of the season

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Tristan Wirfs is one of the best offensive tackles in football. He's the anchor for the Bucs' line and has been a major headache for Falcons pass rushers. But Wirfs aggravated a knee injury this summer and is now expected to miss Week 1 according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.

The Bucs will start the season without All Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who underwent surgery on his right knee Tuesday and will likely miss at least the first couple games of the regular season. Wirfs aggravated a right knee injury in the offseaon that forced him to miss only…
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) July 9, 2025

"The Bucs scheduled arthroscopic surgery for Wirfs Tuesday, and some additional minor damage was found. Wirfs will likely begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list. It’s a big blow for the Bucs. Wirfs protects the blind side of quarterback Baker Mayfield, one of his closest friends on the team."

— Rick Stroud, Tampa Bay Times

The Falcons' second matchup with the Bucs doesn't come until much later in the season, a Week 15 Thursday Night Football affair in Tampa Bay. Barring major setback, Wirfs should have plenty of reps being back in the fold by then so the Falcons won't miss Wirfs all together in 2025. But this development will only help Atlanta's bid to keep their hot streak against the Bucs alive and well — the Falcons have on four of the last five head to head against Tampa Bay. It's a tough draw for Tampa Bay, but no one has time to feel sorry for anyone other than themselves in the world that is the NFL.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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