The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are heading into today’s divisional clash with the New Orleans Saints missing some serious firepower - and now, they’ll be without their All-Pro anchor on the offensive line.
Tristan Wirfs, the Bucs’ star left tackle, isn’t expected to suit up after being listed as questionable on Friday. He’s been dealing with an oblique injury that’s lingered for weeks, and the fact that he didn’t log a single practice rep this week made today’s decision feel inevitable. It’s a significant blow for a Tampa offense already walking a tightrope with several key absences.
Mike Evans, the go-to target for Baker Mayfield, still isn’t ready to return. And promising rookie wideout Jalen McMillan remains sidelined with a neck injury. That leaves the Bucs thin at receiver and puts even more pressure on the ground game to carry the load.
Luckily for Tampa, they’re starting to get healthy in the backfield. Bucky Irving made his return last week, and Rachaad White has done a solid job keeping the run game afloat in his absence. Expect the Bucs to lean heavily on that duo today - not just to move the chains, but to help keep Mayfield upright behind a reshuffled offensive line.
That’s where things get tricky. Whoever steps in for Wirfs will have their hands full with Chase Young, who’s been flashing the kind of disruptive form that made him a top draft pick.
Since returning from injury, Young has looked explosive off the edge, and he’ll be licking his chops going up against a backup tackle. If he can consistently win that matchup, it could be a long afternoon for Mayfield.
This game, once looking like a favorable matchup for Tampa, now feels far more up in the air. The Saints have the pass rush to make life uncomfortable for Mayfield, especially with limited weapons on the outside and a patchwork offensive line. If New Orleans can get pressure early and force Mayfield into rushed decisions, the momentum could swing their way quickly.
For the Bucs, it’s about survival - managing the clock, controlling the tempo with the run game, and hoping the offensive line can hold long enough to give Mayfield a fighting chance. Without Wirfs and with Evans still out, Tampa’s margin for error just got a whole lot thinner.