Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs has been ruled out of the team's Week 10 match-up with the San Francisco 49ers.
#Bucs Pro Bowl LT Tristan Wirfs (Knee) has been downgraded from questionable to out.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 10, 2024More News: 49ers' Nick Bosa Fined by NFL For Wearing MAGA Hat in Postgame Interview
NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reports that Wirf has been taken out of the game, apparently with a knee injury. The extent of the injury is currently unknown, but early reports suggest that the player may have suffered an MCL sprain. However, the team plans to conduct further testing, including an MRI, to determine the full extent of the injury, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
Late in the second quarter, as Tampa Bay's offense was advancing down the field, Wirfs' right knee was caught under a San Francisco defensive lineman. After briefly staying down on the ground, the star left tackle was assisted by trainers as he limped off the field, unable to put any weight on his right leg.
This is a pretty big setback for the Bucs' offense, as they entered the second half without several top offensive players supporting quarterback Baker Mayfield. With Wirfs sidelined, reserve tackle Justin Skule stepped in to replace him.
Although the team has a bye week coming up, it may not provide enough time for Wirfs to recover in time for their Week 12 matchup against the New York Giants. The offensive tackle is widely considered the best player on Tampa Bay's offense and has been a dominant force on the left side of the Bucs' offensive line, having allowed no sacks through the first nine games of the season.
Wirfs was selected by the Bucs with the 13th overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, he played a critical role in the team's offensive line and started all 16 regular-season games at right tackle. His impressive performance included exceptional pass protection, allowing just one sack — a rare achievement for a first-year player.
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Wirfs' outstanding play earned him Pro Bowl selections in both his rookie and sophomore seasons. Along with his Pro Bowl appearances, Wirfs was also named an All-Pro in both his first and second seasons, further cementing his place among the NFL's elite offensive tackles. His performance is widely credited with helping the Bucs secure a victory in Super Bowl LV, where they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs to win their first championship since 2002.
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