The Buccaneers got a welcome sight at training camp Monday: Tristan Wirfs was back on the field with his teammates.
Wirfs still wasn’t out there for team drills, but he did take part in individual work after missing time with a hamstring tweak he suffered on the first day of camp. That injury had already kept him out of last week’s joint practices and the preseason game against the New York Jets.
Todd Bowles says that Tristan Wirfs is getting “ramped up” this week. He did individual drills today pic.twitter.com/rDeUV8lVhM
That cautious approach makes sense given what Wirfs means to Tampa Bay’s offense. The Buccaneers believe they have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, but that only matters if the group can stay on the field. After a season in which every member of the unit except Graham Barton missed significant time because of injury, the health of the front five looms as a major factor in how far this team can go.
And no one matters more to that equation than Wirfs.
The All-Pro left tackle is the anchor of the line, the player around whom the entire unit is built. It would be hard to argue he isn’t the most important piece up front for Tampa Bay, and maybe the most important player on the roster overall.
For now, the key is simply getting him back to full strength without forcing the issue. The Buccaneers don’t need to hurry him. They need him healthy when it counts.
If Tampa Bay is going to hit its ceiling this season, Wirfs has to be one of the reasons why. That makes this early camp setback something worth watching, but not something to rush.
In Other News...
Ayden Garnes Is Giving Bucs Fans A Rookie Story To Love
Ayden Garnes has already given Buccaneers fans a preseason moment to remember, and it came from a player who arrived in Tampa Bay with plenty of reasons to be noticed. The undrafted rookie cornerback made a splash in the preseason opener with a 47-yard pick-six, the kind of play that can turn a camp battle into something much more interesting for a team sorting through the back end of its roster.
Garnes has been drawing attention for more than just his play on the field. Before his NFL career, he underwent a bone marrow donation procedure after being identified as a match during a collegiate drive at Duquesne University, a selfless act that potentially saved the life of a woman in her 20s. Now he is trying to turn that same blend of character and athleticism into a place on the Buccaneers roster, and he has given himself an early story worth following. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers Get A Tristan Wirfs Boost As Emeka Egbuka Sparks Concern
Tristan Wirfs finally got back on the field for the Buccaneers during their joint practice with the Jets, a welcome sight for an offense that has been waiting to see its Pro Bowl tackle ramp up for training camp. Backup quarterback Jake Browning also returned after missing a preseason game with a back strain, while linebacker Christian Rozeboom was sidelined, adding another layer to a practice day that already carried some lineup shuffling.
The concern moment came with Emeka Egbuka, who left early after a lower-body toe issue while working against New York. The rookies departure briefly changed the tone of the session, even if the injury is not viewed as a long-term problem, and Tampa Bay will be watching closely to see how he responds as camp moves forward. [Read more 🡒]
Bucs Defense Flashed As Tampa Bay Got A Crucial Camp Boost
The Buccaneers got a useful jolt at training camp practice as they continued preparing for their preseason matchup with Kansas City, and the defense made sure it was the group drawing attention. Jacob Parrish, David Walker and Yaya Diaby were among the standouts, with the unit stacking up pass breakups and sacks while showing the kind of activity Tampa Bay has been looking for as camp rolls on.
There was also a welcome sign on the injury front, with Tristan Wirfs, Benjamin Morrison and S JJ Roberts back on the practice field. The defensive highlights kept coming as the day went on, including takeaways that helped underline how sharp the group looked, even if there is still more to learn about how quickly that momentum can carry into game action. [Read more 🡒]