Important Bucs’ Starter Re-aggravates Injury

Bucs RT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: USA Today

Not much has come easy for the Bucs this season, which left a 19-16 overtime win against the Cardinals feel a bit empty despite improving to 7-8 on the season. And to pour on top of the difficulties, starting right tackle Tristan Wirfs re-aggravated his injury.

Wirfs was seen limping around towards the end of the game on the same ankle that cost him to miss the three previous weeks. On Monday, Todd Bowles confirmed that the Bucs’ best offensive lineman was hurt once again.

“Tristan re-aggravated it towards the end of the game,” Bowles said. “I think somebody fell on the back of it. We’ll get the reports later when he comes in, but anytime you lose one and then you have one out and then you may lose another one it’s always concerning.”

The Bucs Offensive Line Has Multiple Injuries

Bucs QB Tom Brady – Photo by: USA Today

As Bowles alluded to, the Bucs have suffered a ton of injuries on the offensive line, particularly at tackle over the last week. Donovan Smith injured his foot in Week 15 and was unable to play last night. His replacement, Josh Wells, who had already been filling in for Wirfs on the right side before switching to the left, got injured during the first half and is out for the year.

That meant Brandon Walton had to come in at left tackle. Let’s just say the results were less than flattering.

“He battled,” Bowles said. “Fundamentally he wasn’t sound all the time. He battled. To go up against J.J. Watt you’re going to lose some battles, but he hung in there enough to give us some plays and he fought. I credit the guy for fighting.”

Bowles also addressed the possibility of Smith coming back for the big matchup against the Panthers next week where he said “hopefully” he returns. Smith has struggled heavily this season, but the offensive line is in a rough spot and we’ll need him if they want to win the division.