Tampa Bay Buccaneers All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs recently underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, according to various national reports. That is notable to the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks could avoid Wirfs in Week 5 when they’re scheduled to play against the Buccaneers.
Wirfs initially suffered a knee injury in Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers last season. With lingering soreness, the Bucs made the difficult decision to address the situation now. The same reports indicate Wirfs is likely to start the season on the team’s Physically Unable to Perform list, which would cost him at least the first four games of the season — the Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles.
That would make Wirfs eligible to return against the Seahawks in Week 5, but only if his recovery has gone exactly according to plan. Wirfs is among the game’s premier left tackles. Pro Football Focus assigned him an elite pass protection grade of 93.7 last season.
Wirfs’ absence would be good news for the Seahawks’ pass rush. Mike Macdonald’s edge rushers, Derick Hall, Boye Mafe, and DeMarcus Lawrence, would be tasked with taking advantage. We’ll continue monitoring Wirfs’ health and availability ahead of the Week 5 matchup with Seattle.