Buccaneers Hit with Hard Blow: How Tampa Bay Can Overcome Tristan Wirfs’ Injury

Wednesday morning it was reported that Tampa Bay Buccaneers All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs would miss the start of the season. “Wirfs underwent surgery on his right knee Tuesday and will likely miss at least the first couple games of the regular season.” Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times with the report.

This loss is equally unexpected as it is massive. To learn that you will not have the anchor of your offensive line to start the year is enough to make your stomach drop. There’s no two ways about it, this is a blow and could likely have an impact on the Bucs playoff pathway.

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It’s especially damaging when you consider the opponents the Buccaneers will see to start the season. With the Atlanta Falcons, the Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles all in the first month, it will make for an uphill battle. Where I would have predicted one loss at the most before, now I see a pathway for up to three.

It will truly take a “next man up” mentality to bridge the gap. While no one can replace Wirfs, filling in for a month could be manageable. Here’s how I think they can do that.

The first name that we have to look at is backup swing tackle Charlie Heck. The Bucs brought in the five year veteran to replace Justin Skule in the offseason. Now he will be asked to see early action.

Heck is a prospect I liked coming out of the University of North Carolina. His length (6’7) and power have always stood out and his ability to make blocks at the second level have always been a strength.

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I honestly believe that Heck can be an adequate replacement in terms of run blocking. He can get push at the point of attack and peel off to make blocks in space. There is reason to believe that he can be serviceable in this area.

I also like that Heck has significant starting experience as a backup. He’s started 23 games over the last five seasons. That should serve him well in terms of awareness and familiarity with the speed of the game.

However, the downside is his pass blocking. Heck isn’t overly quick side to side and can be beat around the edge as well as with a good inside counter. Additionally, being so tall he can lose leverage and will bend at the waist which nullifies his power.

If Heck is going to be the Wirfs replacement then he will need help on his side in pass protection. A chip from a tight end or a running back shaded to his side should be something we see a lot of. Other than that, expect a run heavy attack.

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Beyond that there are no real in house options to consider. The Bucs did sign undrafted rookie offensive tackle Benjamin Chukwuma to a lucrative deal for an undrafted player. However, he is a very raw prospect and if he sees playing time then something went very wrong along the way.

The free agent market is pretty bare as you might expect at this point in the offseason. Jedrick Wills might be the best of the bunch, but he will be rehabbing an injury through the 2025 season. Future Hall of Famer Tyron Smith was serviceable with the New York Jets last year, but he signed a one day contract with the Dallas Cowboys so he could retire with the team who he played most of his career with.

The name that I would look at in the free agent market is Isaiah Wynn. The six year veteran has 47 starts at offensive tackle in his career and has looked very solid. The undersized tackle played guard with the Miami Dolphins last year and that didn’t go well. A chance to re-establish at tackle could be appealing.

There is also the trade market that general manager Jason Licht could explore. Obviously, no team will be wanting to give away their starting left tackle. However, a fresh start for a reclamation project could be possible.

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One name that comes to mind is New York Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal. The 2022 7th overall pick has fallen out of good graces with the coaching staff. Neal is currently listed as a backup guard on their depth chart.

Weighing in at 6’7 and nearly 340 lbs at the combine, Neal is as big as they come. And while he has been a massive disappointment in the NFL so far, no one can argue his physical gifts. Perhaps in a locker room like Tampa and this coaching staff he can finally realize some of his potential.

Overall, the Buccaneers are behind the eight ball with this Wirfs injury. There is no great option to replace him and it will likely have a negative effect in the win/loss column. No team loses their best player and doesn’t miss a beat.

However, the coaching staff can overcome this loss. They have a backup with significant starting experience who can come in and fill his role. There are also players who can be brought in who have both experience and talent.

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Regardless of who is starting at left tackle, the Buccaneers would be wise to lean into their strong running game. They can maintain this aspect of their offense even with Wirfs out. There is no need to put a backup in a bad situation as a pass blocker more than you have to.

The most important thing to remember with this situation is that it is just temporary. Players get hurt and backups have to play. All that really matters is that Wirfs comes back at one hundred percent and is ready for the playoffs and a Super Bowl run.